Delta Delta Delta - Kansas State University

I also remember being late to take Mother Thomas to dinner, but she was always gracious. She expected us to use appropriate table manners, behaviors, and language—I still remember this and I imagine most do!" An activity she entered into at K-State was the Midwest Model Nations. "Students prepared for this event together, and then drove together into St. Louis for this," she recalled, and added that she participated in the politics of campus elections. Marlene attended graduate school after K-State. She also taught for a small college in Omaha, Nebraska, while her husband, Jeffrey, was stationed at the Strategic Air Command Headquarters. Additionally, she taught one year of high school in Salina. After she and her husband moved to Modesto, California, Marlene taught part time for the Modesto public schools. Through all her moves, Marlene said that she continued her connection with Tri Delta sisters. "Marilyn Heltzer Pelz '58 and I had some wonderful experiences, even meeting again after we both had moved with our families to California." She added that, sadly, two of her closest friends in Theta Iota passed away many years ago. She also remembers Jan Forbes '58 as her outstanding pledge mother, and Susie Clark '60 as "a bright, wonderful pledge daughter who spoke French fluently" when they took that class together. Today, Marlene lives with her husband in Modesto, and they have two children. Their daughter, who lives near them, is a Tri Delta alumna from the University of California at Davis, and their son, who resides in Falls Church, Virginia, is a graduate of UCLA and Georgetown Law School. Marlene and Jeffrey are involved in many community activities and have traveled to several continents. She was also involved with fundraising in the refurbishment of the K-State house about 15 years ago, and she enjoyed the trip to see both it and the campus. "We're encouraging our grandchildren to attend K-State," Marlene stated, her pride once again shining through. Marlene Lindell Cowan '59 Enjoys a Lifelong Connection (Continued from page 1) I hope that this finds you and those you love healthy during this unprecedented time. This year has certainly brought changes for all of us, including Theta Iota Chapter and our house corporation. Since 1931, the house corporation has existed to own and lease the Chapter House to the collegiate chapter, to oversee the care and maintenance of the property, and to prioritize the safety of our resident members. Those of us serving most recently on the house corporation have been diligent in carrying out our responsibilities and working in the best interest of the chapter, always with an eye to the future. Over the past year, we have evaluated how to best support the collegiate members and provide a premier living experience, including exploration of alternative house ownership within the Tri Delta organization. As most volunteer alumnae reside in numerous communities across the state, effective property management was becoming more challenging each year. With the onset of COVID-19, it became obvious that our "new normal" would require many changes that will significantly impact group living. In recognition of those changes, as well as the potential opportunities and benefits, the house corporation voted to begin the process of offering and transferring ownership of the Theta Iota property to Tri Delta Housing Inc. On June 14, the board held a virtual special meeting during which all related matters of business (outlined in a written notice posted to the Tri Delta website) passed by a majority vote; the transition of ownership was completed over the last four months. This decision was not an easy one and was preceded by many months of consideration and discussion. Honoring and following the many sisters who have served on the house corporation since its beginning, we have always committed to ensuring that Theta Iota remains highly competitive in the Panhellenic community at Kansas State. We are proud that we could present Tri Delta Housing with a property that is a major asset for the chapter. Theta Iota is now the 61st Tri Delta Chapter House managed by Tri Delta Housing Inc., which represents half of the housed Tri Delta chapters. They provide professional property managers along with capital project planning and execution, ongoing property assessment and improvements, interior designers, financial support from their portfolio, and other resources. They will also provide ongoing training and support for the local house director (formerly known as the housemother) who lives onsite. While there will no longer be an active house corporation overseeing the Theta Iota Chapter House, we encourage you to continue supporting the chapter through local participation in their many activities, the chapter's social media, and via the following avenues. Also, watch for continuing Theta Iota news via this biannual newsletter. Volunteer Opportunities If you would like to volunteer time to the chapter, please contact the local alumnae advisor, Joy Pfannenstiel Brandau '95 at brandaujoy@gmail.com. Donations Until further notice, please make out any checks to Theta Iota Chapter, Delta Delta Delta, and mail to Tri Delta Housing, memo: Theta Iota Chapter, 14951 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75254 Loyally, Laura Anderson Pestinger '76 President Emeritus Theta Iota House Corporation THE FUTURE OF THETA IOTA Chapter House Ownership Transferred to National Fraternity page 2 DDD

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