Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Alpha Chi Omega 3 T his year will forever be marked by COVID-19, with highs, lows, joyful births and unbelievably sad losses. As we ponder what we have lived through and what is important, I am filled with a deep feeling of thankfulness and gratitude for the sisters of Alpha Beta Chapter and how they support, stand up for and encourage each other. The leadership of the chapter, members, staff and our alumnae have been exemplary in meeting the daily challenges and changes to safely remain open and together. The collegiate leadership has really stepped up to figure out how to meet the many safety restrictions while walking through this journey as sisters in in the bond. The activities we have cherished are for the most part postponed or altered, yet the bond of sisterhood is more cherished than ever. Even alumni sisters are staying in touch and supporting each other through Zoom, group texts and cards. See our newsletter box about how to stay connected with each other and save the date for Alpha Beta's Birthday Zoom Celebration on April 26. The Alpha Chi Omega Home Corporation Board is diligently and thoughtfully working on our summer list of priority projects. We reduced the women's lease payments last spring and this school year, which is challenging us to be especially efficient with the monies we have for summer improvements. We are evaluating the needs of the women, how we use our outside spaces and living patterns. We appreciate your continued support. We would love to update bathroom counters, replace aging windows in stages and, of course, the women would love to replace as many second- and third-floor study rooms with "wood" flooring like the two updated for centennial. The Alpha Chi Omega highlight of my month was speaking to our 105-year-old Alpha Beta sister, Neva Fricke Bell '37, for 30 minutes. Neva is an inspiration as a Real. Strong. Woman. and she even remembered knowing my mother, Bonnie House Andrews '38, both as a collegian and as an alumna when she lived in the Greater Lafayette area several times over the years. Please consider dropping Neva a note. We are proud Alpha Beta members, Boilermakers and leaders in our fraternal community. We will persevere and come through this time stronger than before. We are together, "The first and the last. Together let us seek the heights." Loyally, Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 Alpha Chi Omega Home Corporation Board (765) 426-8469 bonniehockema@gmail.com Together Let Us Seek the Heights Moving into the new Year with optiMiSM CHAPTER ETERNAL CHAPTER ETERNAL Jean Shera Butler '43 entered Chapter Eternal peacefully on November 8, 2020, after a short illness. She remained active and vibrant until near the end. She was a resident of West Melbourne, Fla., at the time of her passing. She and her husband, Rolland, had four children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean excelled at golf with two holes-in-one in her life. She was also an extraordinary seamstress from tailored garments to quilts as well as beautifully embroidered art; she enjoyed gifting her whimsical and elegant creations. Jean also enjoyed playing bridge and hand and foot between sewing projects. During her last 10 years, she played spades online with her family in Charlotte, Pa., and Florida via Skype every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Her world travels included trips to Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia and destinations across North America. In 2016, Jean traveled to North Dakota to complete travel to all 50 states. She was most kind and optimistic without any sharp edges. She is dearly missed by those who knew her. Rosemary Aretz Lennertz '44 entered Chapter Eternal January 23, 2020, after a long and active life. She was always proud of being part of AXΩ. She was 94 years old and a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time of her passing. Rosemary will be missed by her friends, family and Alpha Chi Omega sisters. ALUMNAE NEWS ALUMNAE NEWS Betsy Arnett Dresser '56 has enjoyed being a member of four alumnae chapters. She is now a member of the alumnae chapter in Rochester, N.Y. Betsy was previously a member of the alumnae chapters in Evansville, Ind.; Dupage County, Ill.; and Detroit, Mich. She lives in Canandaigua, N.Y. Email: betsydresser@gmail.com Patricia Kennedy Fausett '62 serves on the education board for Los Altos History Museum as well as a travel chairperson for Hewlett-Packard retired employees. Email: pat.fausett@gmail.com Judith Fenters Dews '67 has been on the board of Westchester Mental Health Guild, a non-profit organization, since 2008; she has served as co-president twice and treasurer since 2016, with her term ending in 2022. She lives in Westchester, Calif., with her husband, Daniel. Email: judyndan@sbcglobal.net Barbara Scott Krawczyk '70 went on a three-week trip to Colombia before the COVID-19 lockdown. Her photography hobby has kept her engaged during the pandemic. Her work has received numerous accolades, including Best Pictorial Image in the New England Camera Club Council's Interclub digital competition for the 2019-20 session, cover of a calendar, a virtual show at a photography art center and a local library, and three of her prints were selected for display in the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Art in Springfield, Mass. She lives in Westfield, Mass. Email: barbara.krawczyk1951@gmail.com Shari Harmon Ashkar '72 retired after 30 years of teaching. She is now the co-owner and creative director of Bella Sofia Studio. She designs and imports hand-embroidered tops and dresses from Oaxaca, Mexico. Shari hopes that you'll look up these works of art at bellasofiastudio.com. She lives in Houston, Texas. Email: gig213@aol.com Kim Wood Phillips '80 recently finished her term on the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Board of Trustees and is now the president of Helping Animals to Survive. She lives in Denver, N.C. Email: kbphill1984@gmail.com Kristin Miga Benware '87 is excited to share that her daughter entered her freshman year at Purdue in 2020. Her daughter decided to sit out recruitment due to all the COVID-19 challenges, but Kristin is hopeful 2021 will bring new opportunities for her. She's an information architect (clinical informaticist) and lives in Avon, Ind., with her husband, David. Email: dkbenware@sbcglobal.net Molly Robinson Hagemeier '99 works as a pediatric physical therapist in the county schools in northeast Tennessee. Her husband, Nicholas, teaches and does research at the local university, and their four kids keep them busy with their activities. They live in Johnson City, Tenn. Email: mollyannhag@hotmail.com Katie Thomas Glick '04 was one of seven members elected to the Indiana Humanities Board of Directors. She lives in Columbus, Ind. Email: katie.mae.thomas@gmail.com Kara Miller '15 is a member of the Indianapolis Junior League, where she volunteers and helps raise funds for the Indianapolis community; she joined in 2019. She was inspired to volunteer and stay involved in community engagement as an Alpha Beta alumna. Email: karamiller435@gmail.com Alumnae Update

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