Chi Omega - Kansas State University

Χ Ω 2 The Cardinal and Straw F or the past 105 years, Kappa Alpha has provided an important platform for young women to thrive in all of life's endeavors. Life as we know it has obviously changed in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Chi Omega's commitment to empowering women hasn't wavered. The Riley family—comprised of the late Merry Gay Bankey Riley '59, Megan Riley Rahe '81, Courtney Novak Riley '88, Taylor Rahe Farrar '13, Ashlyn Riley '16, and Reagan Riley '20—has reaped the rewards of the Chi Omega experience for three generations and has done its part to enrich the lives of the Kappa Alpha collegians during these unprecedented times. Megan, Courtney, Taylor, Ashlyn, and Reagan kept Chi Omega ever at heart by donating to Kappa Alpha's Emergency Chapter Housing campaign. "Besides our family bond, we share the sisterhood bond," Courtney said. "We have actually been able to see each other more often than we would have otherwise if we wouldn't have been involved with Kappa Alpha. We want to ensure that Kappa Alpha is there for generations to come." Reagan is a shining example of how bright the future is at Kappa Alpha. She was nominated last fall by Kappa Alpha to be the national model initiate. Reagan and four other women across the country were chosen to be initiated at Convention over the summer. While Convention wasn't held in person due to COVID-19, Reagan was still initiated virtually by the Supreme Governing Council in July. She's been thankful for the friendships made and support received from her sisters in the short time she has known them. "The women in Chi Omega have made me feel so comfortable and the Kappa Alpha Chapter feels like home," Reagan said. Reagan is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Ashlyn, who just graduated in 2019. Ashlyn honed her leadership skills at Kappa Alpha by serving two terms on the executive board. She was honored to pay it forward with a donation to the Emergency Chapter Housing campaign. "As sisters, we all share a special bond," Ashlyn said. "It has meant a great deal to be part of something that is so important to several generations of my family." As Reagan and Ashlyn's mother and Taylor's aunt, Courtney has enjoyed the opportunity to get to know many of their friends in Chi Omega. Courtney lives about two hours away from Manhattan in Hiawatha, but has made trips back to the Little Apple for Kappa Alpha Advisory Board meetings and to see Reagan, Ashlyn, and Taylor in recent years. Taylor graduated in 2016 and has since joined her mother, Megan, on the Kappa Alpha House Corporation Board. "I've been fortunate enough to spend quite literally every day since birth surrounded by high-achieving, positive, intelligent, radiant, witty, and caring Kappa Alpha's," Taylor said. "From my grandma to mom to aunt to cousins and other friends, it's nearly impossible to surround yourself with so many amazing women and not absorb at least a small dose of their incredible qualities." The Emergency Chapter Housing campaign is just the latest of Kappa Alpha's fundraising efforts that the family has participated in. Merry Gay's husband, Ken, has continued to show how much Kappa Alpha meant to him after Merry Gay's death. He and his second wife, Cheryl, were among the top donors in Kappa Alpha's campaign in the mid-2000s, which resulted in the president suite being named in memory of Merry Gay. Ken and Cheryl also contributed to the Emergency Chapter Housing campaign. Kappa Alpha means the world to the Riley family and they are thankful for all their sisters who joined them in contributing to the Emergency Chapter Housing campaign. "The foundation of our chapter was laid by those who came before us," Megan said. "It's important to give back both financially and through volunteering of your time and talents to continue building on Kappa Alpha's thriving momentum for the next 105 years." You can connect with the Riley family via the email addresses below. Megan: mrrahe@gmail.com Courtney: courtneyriley1@yahoo.com Taylor: tayrahe1@gmail.com Ashlyn: ariley@usd415.org Reagan: rbriley@ksu.edu Keeping Chi Omega Ever at Heart Riley Family Gives to Kappa Alpha's Emergency Chapter Housing Campaign (Left) The late Merry Gay Bankey Riley '59, mother of Megan Riley Rahe '81 and mother-in-law of Courtney Novak Riley '88, and the matriarch of the Riley family's long Kappa Alpha lineage. (Right) Courtney Novak Riley '88, Taylor Rahe Farrar '13, Reagan Riley '20, Ashlyn Riley '16, and Megan Riley Rahe '81 prior to Reagan's virtual initiation in July. President Kim Elston Jacobson '80 kimba495@gmail.com Secretary Marilyn McCrillis Nichols '75 Treasurer Alison Burton '12 VP of Financial Management Kelly Moore Williams '72 VP of Personnel Taylor Rahe Farrar '13 VP of Facilities Megan Riley Rahe '81 VP Marketing Katelyn Winn '13 winn.katelyn@yahoo.com Members at Large Joan McCrillis Lafferty '69 Tara Allen Burkhart '07 House Director Jan Tidball House Corporation Board

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