Kappa Kappa Gamma - University of Arizona

KEYping Up with Kappa 4 A WORD FROM OUR DONORS (Continued from page 1) Q: WHAT DID YOUR UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE AS A MEMBER MEAN TO YOU? Nancy: The opportunity to meet and live with so many young women from different parts of the country was eye- opening. I had one sister going in, but many coming out. Paula: Having a "home" in college with an array of wonderful young women of different backgrounds but a common goal of quality education and friendship was invaluable. Ginx: I continue to reflect on how that experience helped shape who I am today. Perhaps the more obvious were gaining leadership experience and learning to work hard to achieve goals. The littler things are perhaps some of the biggest though: laughing and crying through ups and downs together, learning how to respect your peers and respect yourself, becoming a part of something bigger than just you, and seeing that everyone brings something unique to a group. Kerstin: It meant the world to me. I can honestly say that my experiences and friendships formed in the Kappa house made me who I am today. Q: HOW DID KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE? HOW DID IT IMPACT YOUR CAREER PATH? Nancy: Back when I was in college, many women studied education, as there just weren't other options we thought would work for us when we married and had children. I think living with so many women, most of whom shared the same values, prepared me for the volunteer work I became involved in and taught me to being open to many different lifestyles and opinions. Paula: I was moved to a different part of the country, and without Kappa I would have been lost. The connections and instant friendships made in the new community helped me to become a lifelong believer in the sisterhood. Ginx: There were numerous leadership skills gained, and learning to respect unique, individual opinions has been invaluable. Kerstin: I think Kappa Kappa Gamma provided me with lots of skills for life after college. Kappa gave me the opportunity to serve in leadership positions, understand the importance of serving your community, and helped me to learn how to always find a way to connect with others. It didn't necessarily impact my career path, but it has impacted my involvement in my community, and it's funny that I always find a Kappa wherever I go. Q: WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO SUPPORT THE CHAPTER AND THE KAPPA KAMPAIGN? Nancy: I felt Kappa enriched my college years so much that I wanted to help ensure our chapter would be able to meet the needs of the new, much larger chapters of today. We added on a new, very large chapter room and some new dorm rooms, so now we can accommodate more live-ins than any house on campus. We took out a new mortgage to pay for this, and the capital campaign has helped to reduce the mortgage. As a result, we're still able to do the maintenance required in the summer and needed repairs so our chapter house will continue to be a safe and lovely home for our members. Paula: The ability to live in the house and then to maintain associations from college, and more importantly after college, I would not have had if not for Kappa. I feel I owed a "payback" for all I have appreciated from my Kappa life. Ginx: The four years I spent at Kappa were such a period of growth in so many ways. When we toured the house for the 100-year celebration, it was clear that those things I learned—how to live with girls from all parts of the country, with different backgrounds, different perspectives, and different goals—are still in motion and the chapter is still building well-rounded, socially minded, thoughtful young women. Kerstin: It's always important to my husband and I that we support organizations that we have ties to. I love being a Kappa and want our chapter to be around for years to come so that other women can have the opportunity to build the lasting friendships that I have enjoyed. Q: IF OTHER ALUMNAE ASKED WHY YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE KAPPA KAMPAIGN, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM? HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET INVOLVED? Nancy: I ask them to think back on their Kappa years and remember the impact it had during college and the years following. It provided all of us with lifelong friends and memories to cling to! Paula: I would simply ask: "What would your life have been without Kappa?" We owe it not only to the future, but to our own past experiences as well. Ginx: They say you get what you give. Kappa gave me so much, and it's my turn to give back. When we were actives, we never understood how much it really takes to run a chapter, keep a beautiful facility running, and all the dedication of alumnae that is required. I appreciate the women that are there locally who can spend their time and energy contributing. This is my way to help contribute from a little farther down the road in Phoenix. Kerstin: I would tell alumnae that we have an opportunity to make Kappa a home for future generations of women (maybe even some of our own children!). I would just encourage them to donate, no matter the amount, or to get together with their group of friends and think about making a donation as a whole.

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