Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

I n 1921, the group of women who formed the Alpha Nu Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega came together. With assistance from Alpha Zeta Chapter at Washington University in St. Louis, Alpha Nu Chapter was installed and received its charter on August 22, 1922. Since then, Alpha Nu has initiated more than 3,000 women. There are currently about 2,130 living alumnae. More than 275 of them, along with special guests, collegians and representatives from the University of Missouri and Alpha Chi Omega National Headquarters, completely filled the ballroom of the Hampton Inn and Suites for the three-hour Centennial Gala on Saturday evening. Everyone had an opportunity to mingle as they checked in during the cocktail hour. A separate room containing Alpha Nu scrapbooks and memorabilia was set up for viewing, reminiscing and photos. Seating in the ballroom was by decade, making it easier for sisters to find other women they had not yet seen. A lovely slide show of pictures through the years, compiled by Pat Rickard Rohan '64, played on two large screens throughout the dinner. Our emcee for the evening was Carrie Tergin, Zeta Sigma '92 (Missouri State University), mayor of Jefferson City, Mo.! A choir of collegiate members sang the Alpha Chi grace after an invocation by the Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello '82, vicar of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. After dinner, Chloe Lykken '20, the 2022 Alpha Nu chapter president, provided an update on chapter successes. Dr. Bill Stackman, the vice chancellor of student affairs for the university, praised Alpha Chi for its programming and the contributions of its members over the years. Also attending the gala was Interim Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Megan DeShon-Runge. Alumnae who have volunteered for Alpha Chi were recognized throughout the evening: former chapter presidents as well as current and former alumnae chapter officers, province officers, national program volunteers, house corporation board members and chapter advisory board members. Simone Esters '16, Miss America 2020 second runner-up, then shared her perspective on her Alpha Chi Omega sisterhood in a gracious and inspiring speech, recalling watching the Miss America pageant in the chapter's TV room and sisters encouraging her, saying she could "totally do that!" She then thanked the group of sisters who supported her during her pageant experience. She was followed by Marsha King Grady, Alpha Upsilon '84 (University of Alabama), chief development officer of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Marsha spoke about the work done by the Foundation and the importance of Alpha Nu's centennial scholarship fund. She was accompanied by Melissa Perez Ramirez, Beta Omega '00 (University of Toledo), Alpha Chi Foundation donor relations officer. Jari Askins, Psi '72 (University of Oklahoma), Alpha Chi national vice president, presented a centennial plaque to the chapter's president. Jari warmly recalled her visit to Alpha Nu in 1976, when she was a collegiate field advisor for Alpha Chi and members took her to a Mizzou basketball game. The program concluded with alumnae and collegians reciting the Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega and a toast to 100 more years for Alpha Nu. The evening did not conclude for another hour as sisters gathered for photos with each other and the special guests. What an exceptional night of remembering and celebrating the bonds of sisterhood! Sold-out Gala Strikes Just the Right Notes A Toast to Another 100 Years of Alpha Nu From left: Tracy Thomas Feller '78, Jini White Sachse '77 and Patti Weart Whitehead '79. The Rev. Canon Dana Colley Corsello '82, vicar of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., led the invocation. From left: Merry Lucas Schmitt '07, Lou Ann Pfeifer Wilcox '75, Amanda LaBrot '11 and Kristin Donnell '08. Simone Esters '16, Gala special guest and Miss America 2020 second runner-up. From left: Jocelyn Bernard '06, Alisha Novinger Ehrich '06, Kathleen Heermann Jekel '06 and Kelsey McKinnis Fischer '06. Becky Miller Alexiou '94, Susie Wierman Roth '92 and Rachel Weaver Burchett '93.

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