Alpha Nu chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of Missouri
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1361566
page 3 | University of Missouri P at Rickard Rohan '64 remembers well the moment she knew Alpha Chi Omega was right for her: sitting on the sofa next to the living room bay window during recruitment, talking with Judy Anderson White '63, Margie Steinmeier Taylor '63 and JoAnn Mange Berdit '63. "It was such a natural, comfortable experience and I felt completely at home. I knew it was the sisterhood I wanted to join." From there, Pat was introduced to wonderful Alpha Chi traditions— Founders' Day, Hera Day, Senior Breakfast and the holiday party, among others—and took part in many great memories of her own. Her favorite memory was when Carolin Chapman Wilson '62 came home, exhausted from a full day, and her roommates took care of her, making sure she looked her best for a photo the next morning. "Talk about sisterhood! I was so impressed." She also has fond memories of her pledge daughter, Vickie Holtz Evans '65, who later served as her maid of honor. There were also many fun parties, late-night conversations and Alpha Chi songs. In her senior year, Pat served as what was then called "warden" and set up chapter meetings and initiations, among other responsibilities. She also served as Angel Flight commander. While in this role, she met her future husband, Mike Rohan. "Alpha Chi gave me confidence working with peers as well as an assurance in working with adults beyond my immediate social group," Pat recalls. "Best of all, I learned the value of teamwork and the importance of each doing her part for the greater whole." Those lessons of teamwork served Pat well in later volunteer efforts as well as her library career. After earning her graduate degree in library science at MU, she worked at Kirkwood Public Library (part of the St. Louis Municipal Library Consortium) as a reference librarian presenting programs, accepting passport applications, working with nonprofits and much more. Pat has only seen fellow Alpha Chi sisters on rare occasions, but has always had a positive experience when doing so. When she lived in Schenectady, New York, an alumna invited her to join a group of Alpha Chis at a local restaurant. Pat jumped at the chance, despite the cold winter evening with two feet of snow. "There were no other Alpha Nu sisters, but everyone was so friendly and we shared chapter experiences. I never saw them again, but I've not forgotten the few hours we spent together." Her devotion to Alpha Chi Omega has persisted over the years, and she contributed to Alpha Nu's 2013 capital campaign. Pat saw the chapter house as a true home during college and wanted to ensure future sisters would have the same comfortable space on campus. Persal Growth Through Sierhd How Alpha Nu Helped Shape Pat Rickard Rohan '64 Pat Rickard Rohan '64 in Perrone, France. Today, Pat is most proud of her 54-year marriage and the bond she and Mike share with their two daughters and families. They have kept in touch throughout the pandemic and look forward to gathering in person again. Pat and Mike share a love of reading and history, which led them to travel in Europe and throughout the US. They appreciate beach trips and hope they can travel again next year. In the meantime, Pat has enjoyed serving on her church board, participating in library programs on Zoom and gardening, as well as preserving and archiving many old family photos. If you'd like to connect with Pat, find her at patricia_rohan@yahoo.com.