Gamma Phi Beta - University of Oklahoma

P lease accept my most sincere apologies for not being able to be here with you today to celebrate this wonderful occasion. I was fortunate to have been married to Dixie for 64 years, and enjoyed her mother, Fay Davis Deupree 1926. During those years, I had many occasions to observe the benefits of being part of the Gamma Phi Beta sisterhood. To you pledges, let me extend my congratulations on pledging Gamma Phi this past weekend. When you get together with your pledge class, look around. There are four or more young ladies who will be a part of your wedding. I don't know who they are and neither do you – yet! This is part of the sisterhood. You actives have already experienced the sisterhood when another active (or actives) has come to your assistance when you were greatly in need of help. And they volunteered without being asked. This is part of the sisterhood. You alumni have spent the balance of your life experiencing many times the benefits of the sisterhood. The occasion may have been helping solve a problem with a sister's children when needed, assisting a sister when she has lost a loved one or any number of problems. This is the sisterhood. There is always someone to help because this is what Gamma Phi Beta represents. Today is a great example of sisterhood. We are dedicating a rebuilding of the chapter house at 1105 South College. This fabulous facility was made available to the alumni, actives, and pledges for your enjoyment by the sisterhood. Congratulations Psi Chapter! Sincerely, Denny Bartell O ur ribbon-cutting ceremony had impressive attendance, and everyone commented on how outstanding the remodel/ extension of the chapter house is. The sizes of the new rooms are grand, and the number of people that the dining room (Legacy Room) and the study hall (Crescent Suite) could accommodate is extraordinary! The house is truly gorgeous and deserves our focus and our gratitude. It seems that the house was a delightful surprise to members and had an impact on our recruitment numbers. Let's keep up the good work and hold our image high across the campus! Denny Bartell was unable to attend the ceremony from Houston due to mobility issues. He was the initial donor for our campaign at the reunion we had a couple of years ago. His wife, Dixie Deupree Bartell '52, was in the house in the 1950s, and Dixie's mother was in the house in the 1920s with my mother, Faye Todd Clarke. Hopefully Denny will be back on his feet soon to make the trip to Norman this fall. Since he wasn't there, I asked him to write a letter to the attendees. I read his letter at the donor dinner on Friday night, and it was so well-received that I read it again at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. It is included below for those who missed it. While many classes were in attendance, we want to highlight the pledge class of '78 for the highest member participation during this campaign. It's not too late to claim this title! Rally with your pledge class sisters to increase your participation rate. If everyone who hasn't given to the capital campaign yet would give a comfortable amount, it would boost our overall participation number up to its highest potential—and would make us so proud! Overall, the event was a wonderful celebration of sisterhood, and we want to thank everyone who has supported this campaign! In IIKE, Linda Anderson '66 Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony T he event was incredible, and it was amazing seeing everyone gather at the house. Generations of sisters showed their support for Psi Chapter, and we are beyond grateful. If you were unable to attend or want to relive the event, check out the photos below! Executive Council (Abby Daniels '20, Hannah Schmidt '19, Emmanuelle Enombo '20, Talin Propes '19, Gwyneth Glanton '20, Heather Schimming '20, and Abbie Averitte '19) at the official ribbon cutting for the new house on August 27! A H I S T O R I C E V E N T Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Recap Dear Alumni, Actives and Pledges of the Psi Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta 2

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