Chi Omega - University of Kansas

LAMBDA LOG 2 and served as Chapter president during her collegiate years. (Her class photo still resides in the living room in the Chapter House after all these years!) Upon graduation, she married and moved to Pittsburg, Kansas. Even though she no longer lived in Lawrence, she was an active Chi Omega alumna. Her daughters, Dottie and Betsy, were introduced to Chi Omega at a young age during recruitment events and felt their own connection to Lambda Chapter. Little did she know that connection would continue for many years to come. Dottie Thomas pledged Chi Omega at Lambda Chapter in the fall of 1944. Dottie said it was an interesting time at the University as these were the "war years." Dottie developed many lasting friendships during her collegiate years. She was an active Chi Omega serving as pledge trainer and then secretary of the Chapter. "When I think of my extended family of Chi Omegas, including my sister and pledge class friends, I still fondly remember by time living in the house. When Barbara Moffett Long '45 and I are together, we can laugh and share memories from more than 60 years of friendship," said Dottie. "We share a special bond from living together during a very unique generation in history. Veterans returning from the ware filled much of the campus; our dress code said slacks could be worn on only the coldest days; and closing hours meant we were all back in the house and together by the same time every evening. We bonded as a group, grew as individuals, and have very close relationships." Dottie earned a degree in child psychology from KU and went on to serve as a volunteer with Children's Mercy Hospital for more than 25 years. Dottie was recognized as volunteer of the year by the hospital. She stayed active with Chi Omega, the hospital, and her family as she raised her two children, Sarah and J.B. As a busy mother and parent, Dottie still made time for Chi Omega. She went on to serve actively on the House Corporation Board, the Kansas City Alumnae Association of Greater Kansas City, and has been a member of the Lambda Owl Foundation for more than 25 years. In 1999, Dottie and Betsy were right there alongside the House Corporation Board as they initiated a $2 million house renovation and a $1 million capital campaign. She serves the Foundation actively as the board treasurer and makes certain every donor to Lambda receives a handwritten note of thanks! Dottie has commented, "Volunteering with Chi Omega has given me the opportunity to work with delightful people." A few years ago, at an Eleusinian luncheon held in Kansas City, both Dottie and her sister Betsy were recipients of the Chi Omega of the Year award given by the alumnae association. Very well deserved for these amazing Chi Omega women! I am also delighted to say that after many years of planning, Lambda Chapter found a small way to show our appreciation for these special ladies. In the summer of 2015, we completed the Thomas Terrace. Following the dedication, we presented both Dottie and Betsy with a special memory book for them to have to remember that special day spent with the collegiate Chi-Os, Lambda volunteers, pledge sisters, and friends! It is very hard to synopsize how much Dottie has given over the years to Chi Omega in just a couple of pages. Lambda Chapter and our beautiful, historic home would not be what it is today were it not for the Thomas sisters. I hope you will consider Dottie Dickey for the Chi Omega Lifetime Service Award. It was a privilege to join Dottie and Betsy at the 2016 Chi Omega Convention in Orlando as they BOTH received the Chi Omega Lifetime Service Award. It was an honor to see so many Chi Omegas from all over the world give a standing ovation to these lovely Lambda women. I will always treasure the memories of Dottie with an appreciation and dedication for what she did for Lambda Chapter. The Lambda Owl Foundation has established the Dottie Thomas Dickey '45 Memorial Fund to honor her legacy. Donations can be made online at lambdaowl.com or by using the enclosed envelope. Remembering Dorothea Thomas Dickey '45 (Continued from page 1) Dottie and Betsy receiving their Lifetime Achievement Awards at Convention. The Thomas Terrace celebrates the years of dedication to Chi Omega from Dottie and Betsy. Welcome to the Latest Lambda Ladies L ike many things this past year, the pandemic brought changes to sorority recruitment as the National Panhellenic Conference required all colleges and universities to keep their college panhellenic total consistent with the 2019-20 school year. This change allowed 10 of the 11 sororities at KU to participate in spring recruitment. We are so glad to have had the opportunity to recruit these women and ask you to join us in welcoming them to Chi Omega!

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