Pi Beta Phi - Oklahoma State University

Angel Update PAGE 2 O ver the years, Jean Anne Shelton Hattler '66 has acquired several interests, traveling being her primary choice; still, Pi Phi holds a special place above all the endeavors she's found herself undertaking. Even while traveling to over 100 countries and visiting all seven continents, Jean Anne has never missed an opportunity to reunite with Pi Phi. Jean Anne's father was a minister, and her mother was an educator; following her parents' footsteps of service, Jean Anne moved to Colorado after graduation and began her career in education as a teacher in Boulder. Later, Jean Anne attended University of Colorado to earn her master's and became a high school counselor; then, she earned her Ph.D. and began teaching college students geography and educational curriculum. There was no doubt that Jean Anne's journey would forge a path of serving, supporting young people and helping them through tough times. As an undergraduate, Jean Anne was Recruitment Chair and greatly appreciated welcoming sisters into the sorority to help them navigate the fraternity and sorority experience. "I've always enjoyed working with people, but I think it really began when I was in the sorority," she admitted. When Jean Anne and her sisters weren't chanting Pi Phi songs at all hours of the day, they were offering insight to a sister who received a harsh grade or simply consoling a sister after a breakup. From these experiences, Jean Anne was reminded of her love of being surrounded by people supporting one another. "When I was a high school counselor, I helped young people grow intellectually and emotionally. Then, as a college professor, I led college students on study abroad trips in South America, Asia and Europe. The next evolution of my travel career changed when many cultural groups in Pittsburgh asked me to lead patrons on international trips, including Carnegie Museum and the Pittsburgh Opera." Finally, she created Duquesne University's Alumni and Friends travel program. Now, she's had the privilege of watching lives transform in people from college students to retirees. Jean Anne began her travels as an undergraduate; in 1970, she and her pledge class sister, Jean Coffey Richards '66, spent six weeks in Europe, and her love for traveling began to flourish. From there, she began taking students on study abroad trips, including to Costa Rica, Australia, China and Scotland. "No matter the age of my fellow travelers, I love seeing how they are transformed by their experiences," she shared. Like her travel companions, Jean Anne has undergone several transformations of her own; still, her love for Pi Phi and connection with sisters always rings true. "I love going back to Stillwater and visiting the chapter house! As an alumna, I've never missed a reunion; it's great to catch up with sisters, and it seems like we can pick up on the sentence we never finished from the last reunion." Staying involved as an alumna is essential, as Jean Anne believes bonds and friendship are gifts for life. Whether celebrating the Oklahoma Beta Centennial in 2019, which she especially enjoyed because she shared it with her sister, Janice Shelton Hesser '68, or attending Initiation at the University of Michigan for her granddaughter, Brenna Hattler '16, creating those bonds has always been a joy in her life, so she actively strengthens them any chance she can. "I've met countless Pi Phis along the way, from different universities and of various ages, but that bond is there." Staying connected, however, wasn't always a walk in the park. When she lived in Japan in the 1970s, there was no social media, so corresponding with sisters took a week in the mail and plenty of hope that it would arrive on time. There have been times where Jean Anne has had to choose between her passions. For the 1991 summer Pi Phi reunion, Jean Anne was asked to speak at the reunion; however, she was also chosen to be a National Geographic Educational Consultant for Pennsylvania for a six-week internship at that same time. "I couldn't bear the thought of missing the reunion, so I quickly penned National Geographic Society and explained," Jean Anne explained. "I was glad to have prioritized Pi Phi," she added. In addition to being outdoors and hiking in the mountains, Jean Anne enjoys sharing a nice meal with her loved ones, going to the Opera, catching up with her book club friends, playing scrabble and studying Enneagram personality tests with her friends. "Oh, did I mention that I enjoy traveling?" Jean Anne joked. To learn more about Jean Anne's significant memories of Pi Phi and her countless travels around the world, or to join her on an Alumni and Friends international trip, connect with her at jahattler@gmail.com. To Travel Is to Live JEAN ANNE SHELTON HATTLER CREDITS PI PHI FOR FORGING HER LIFE'S PATH "My advice to collegians and alumnae? Stay connected. The bonds of college and friendship are gifts for life."

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