Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

Mary Schneier '11 works in Marlborough, New Zealand, for Wairau Wines as an assistant wine maker managing the lab. Their wines are sold in Missouri. She is always happy to host any sisters who are traveling through. Email: mcschneier@gmail.com Three members of a big/little family – all planning their weddings in 2020 – show off their engagement rings. Center is Big Maddie Cottrell '12 (wedding date March 14). At left is Little Emma Schweiss '13 (wedding date October 3) and on the right is Grand Little Sarah Hess '14 (wedding date April 25). Alpha Chi Omegas in mid-Missouri gathered at Fontenot's Po'Boys in Fulton, Mo., for Alpha Chi Night Out and an early Mardi Gras celebration on February 11. Alumnae in attendance represented five collegiate chapters: Adelle DuSold, Delta Chi; Karen Knoblauch Neylon '79; Rachel Porting, Zeta Sigma; Audra Roles West, Gamma Tau; Katherine Wortmann, Delta Chi; Jennell Ryan Austin '95; Sherry White McCarthy, Delta Rho; Gail Boyle Strope, Zeta Sigma; Mary Ann Eggers Beahon '65; Debbie Grisham Wehrman, Delta Chi and Ann Whitman Binggeli, Delta Chi. FRIENDSHIP AND TEAMWORK How Michelle Panethiere Borgeson '03 Developed Her Strengths at Alpha Nu A s a young student going through recruitment, Michelle Panethiere Borgeson '03 already had a strong connection to the Alpha Nu Chapter: her mother, Deborah Hager Panethiere '73. "I was excited to join the sorority and share that bond with her," Michelle remembers. "The chapter house location was excellent too and really felt like a home away from home." Michelle loved being part of something bigger than herself, having a network on campus and making connections with her sisters. They had lots of fun with fall hayrides and bonfires, but her favorite moments were watching movies together, chatting in the dining room and getting t-shirts during various sorority events. As a junior, Michelle served as vice president of finance and enjoyed the weekly meetings with the executive committee to run chapter operations. "It was the definition of teamwork." Michelle believes running a sorority is much like running a small business, and that experience helped her greatly in her career. After college, she and husband Jeff moved to Houston, so Jeff could attend graduate school. Michelle works as a certified public accountant in the energy industry, which has been equally challenging and rewarding. She and Jeff also stay busy with their two kids, Will (5) and Savannah (2). "Every day I am thankful to Alpha Chi for helping me to stay open-minded and for helping me cultivate my leadership skills," Michelle says. Living in Houston, she doesn't see her sorority sisters as much as she would like, but she keeps up with quite a few on social media. Michelle can be reached at mborgeson8@gmail.com. MICHELLE'S FAVORITE QUOTE: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." Michelle's advice to the active chapter: Embrace personal finance and practice self-care. page 5 | University of Missouri

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