PHI CHAPTER OF
ALPHA CHI OMEGA
HOUSE CORPORATION
P.O. Box 442023
Lawrence, KS 66044-4223
Address Service Requested
Notes of the Lyre
A
s all sisters know, Alpha Chi Omega is a lifetime commitment—
the sisterhood doesn't end after college. As an alumna, it's
important to celebrate the milestones, and if you're as lucky as
Marianne Rogers MacCurdy '47, you too can one day celebrate 75
years of Alpha Chi sisterhood.
"I look forward to celebrating this achievement at the fall meeting of
Alpha Chi with Alice Hawk, Omicron '58," Marianne shared. "I don't
attend Alpha Chi alumnae meetings very much, but I have never missed
my dues. I stay in touch with Phi Chapter."
With 75 years of memories, one of her favorite Alpha Chi events was
the 1949 National Convention at the Huntington Hotel in Pasadena,
California. The Union Pacific Railroad had a special train car for 200-
300 Alpha Chi women decorated with red carnations.
"We had stops in Idaho and Las Vega," Marianne recalls. "They had all
kinds of fun activities and contests going on. It was quite an experience,
and I met girls from all over the United States."
Just the Beginning
As an only child who grew up on a farm in northeast Kansas, having
the opportunity to surround herself with so many amazing women was
life-changing. Thanks to her cousin, Marianne was inspired to look into
Alpha Chi. "Alpha Chi's impact on my life was very positive."
For four years, Marianne lived at the chapter house at KU. The friendships
she made have lasted a lifetime and have been a true blessing. "I
made wonderful friends throughout my life there. We also had two
housemothers, and they were like our moms away from home."
Fortuitous Meeting
Luckily for Marianne, she stayed connected to the sisterhood after
graduating, which led to the serendipitous meeting of her late husband,
George. After an Alpha Chi meeting one night, a sister's husband said to
Marianne's soon-to-be husband, "Marianne Rogers was at our house last
night for an Alpha Chi meeting. You should call her up!" That's all it
took, and the rest was history.
Marianne and George celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage together
and have three children: Amy, Beth, and Lori.
Celebrating the Years
To this day, Marianne is still a fan of train travel, and throughout her life
has enjoyed many rides, even overseas. In her independent living home,
she enjoys playing the piano every other Tuesday at chapel service.
"I also love reading. Our library has
a great senior program where they
mail books to us; I always keep a
running list. Oh, and I also love
Scrabble." Marianne is a Scrabble
pro and keeps a Scrabble dictionary
and a list of two-letter words that are
accepted with her when she plays
her family, including her daughters
or grandsons, when they visit.
You can connect with Marianne or
reminisce on Alpha Chi memories
at gm_mm@sbcglobal.net.
Marianne with her great-grandson,
Ezra, at a family gathering for her
94th birthday.
Connect Connect
with with
Phi Chapter Phi Chapter
Online! Online!
Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Chi Omega,
Phi Chapter at the Phi Chapter at the
university of kansas university of kansas
@kansasalphachi @kansasalphachi
@kansasalphachi @kansasalphachi
Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Chi Omega
Phi Chapter Phi Chapter
kuaxo.com kuaxo.com
Forever an Alpha Chi
MARIANNE ROGERS MACCURDY '47 LOOKS BACK ON 75 YEARS OF SISTERHOOD
