Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Alpha Chi Omega 3 I n December 2021, two Alpha Beta alumnae were contacted by the Purdue Office of Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life about a package received in the mail with two paddles. The paddles belonged to Alpha Beta alumna Mary Jane Dietrich Layson '39 and her husband, Harry "Rusty" Layson, who was a Kappa Sigma. Their grandson included the following note: "My grandparents, Harry and Mary Jane, both attended Purdue in the late 1930s. I came across the enclosed items while clearing out my mother's house after she died. I don't have any use for these paddles, but it seems inappropriate to discard them. Do with them what you will." –Mark Koenig These paddles are in exceptional condition for their age, with Mary Jane's original handwriting in pencil on the back. They have likely been together for over 80 years. We were asked, along with Kappa Sigma alumni, if the paddles could stay together and be displayed in the Krach Leadership Center on campus for others to see. We agreed, without hesitation, to have them displayed with the caveat they be returned to the chapters when they are no longer being displayed and used. We all have stories that stem from the meaning and memories of these paddles; however, there is rarely a time when we have mementos that represent the lifelong connections our community creates. This is a good reminder for you to share with your family that, when the time comes, they should return your pins and mementos like this to either the chapter or headquarters—especially your AXO pin and meaningful jewelry. If you have something to donate to our chapter archives, please contact: Katie Thomas Glick '04 at katie.mae.thomas@gmail.com or Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 at bonniehockema@gmail.com. If you wish to donate to AXO Headquarters, contact them at archives@alphachiomega.com. Dani Alverez Belleville, Mich. Lauryn Arnett Fishers, Ind. Allison Baitinger Carmel, Ind. Shelby Bergeron Manhattan, Ill. Gabby Brown Palatine, Ill. Elana Chatterton Noblesville, Ind. Erin Custod Grayslake, Ill. Audrey Darland Carmel, Ind. Aislinn Davis Dallas, Texas Isabel Davis Wabash, Ind. Leanne DiCiaula Chicago, Ill. Megan Dillon Carmel, Ind. Hayley Gates Valparaiso, Ind. Zoe Goebel Zionsville, Ind. Yana Gomon Glenview, Ill. Ellie Greff Austin, Texas Ella Harman Effingham, Ill. Krista Hobbib San Diego, Calif. Abby Huddleston Rochester Hills, Mich. Grace Jackson Indianapolis, Ind. Kate Kaiser Jasper, Ind. Caelynn Kohut Glen Ellyn, Ill. Makenna Kowal Zionsville, Ind. Kelsey Levesque Derry, N.H. Lara Lubinsky Barrington, Ill. Olivia Madsen Kalamazoo, Mich. Haley McGonigle Broomall, Pa. Rachel Meuret St. Louis, Mo. Lexi Miller Ladue, Mo. Makenzie Miller Zionsville, Ind. Athulya Nair Greenwood, Ind. Anjali Natarajan Carmel, Ind. Kaia Ocampo San Diego, Calif. Sophia Pouya Granger, Ind. Sonya Prilutsky Wheeling, Ill. Lexi Rigg Dyer, Ind. Hailey Rudloff Highland, Ind. Jenna Schmitt San Rafael, Calif Anastasia Sellers Valparaiso, Ind. Allie Sensmeier Owensville, Ind. Erin Smith Noblesville, Ind. Taylor Sutherland Seymour, Ind. Karlee Swatsenbarg Hartland, Mich. Raegan Thomas Indianapolis, Ind. Emily Widdis Fishers, Ind. Anna Willis St. Louis, Mo. Alpha Beta sisters at spring initiation. Welcome, New Members! Welcome, New Members! Purdue Paddles Purdue Paddles

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