Gamma Phi Beta - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

GAMMA PHI BETA 3 P i Chapter shapes our lives in different ways, but all members are connected by the common bond of sisterhood formed in the chapter house. Some are fortunate to share even deeper legacy connections, like Katherine Warneke Blycker '13 with her mother and aunts. Katie's early exposure to Gamma Phi Beta, and her mom's time as chapter president, put her on track to become a sister herself. CONTINUING THE LEGACY Some Gamma Phi memories stand out. "A special part of my time at Gamma Phi Beta was when my mom, Diane Davis Warneke '82, was able to pin me at my initiation," Katie said. Another was when "she lived in the two-man on two at the end of the hall with her friend, Sandy, who was her maid of honor. I stayed in that same room my junior year with one of my best friends, Taylor Kuhlman Parmley '13—and she was the maid of honor at my wedding." "There is never another time in your life where you will live in a house full of 60 friends." After declaring her accounting major in freshman year, Katie was immediately supported by older sisters on the same path. She especially admired Maggie Schneider '12, one of the sisters who became a mentor and helped Katie along her path to a client advisory services position at Lutz, the public accounting firm in Omaha, Nebraska, where she now works. PI PROFESSIONALS "I still remember a trip to Omaha Maggie and I made together for internship interviews. It was nice to have a close friend with me. We supported one another," Katie recalled. "While no one in my class majored in accounting, all my friends were extremely motivated—in Gamma Phi, on campus, and through work internships." Katie's legacy connections spawned a lifelong loyalty to Gamma Phi Beta, as she now serves the Affiliated House Corporation as treasurer. She is proud to continue to represent her family's legacy in the sisterhood. MEMORIES MADE While Pi Chapter was a key component in Katie's professional development, she'll never forget the trips throughout the Midwest with her pledge class. Katie made the most of her undergraduate years and enjoyed participating in all chapter events, yet she continues to make new memories with alumnae sisters to this day. Katie married her husband, Bryce, in 2019. The two began dating in high school, and they relish the friendships they made through UNL's Greek system. Katie and Bryce recently took up golfing together and enjoy spending time with friends and family. You can connect with Katie at kblycker@lutz.us. A House That Is Always a Home Gamma Phi Alumnae Visit the Undergraduates T wo Gamma Phi sisters, Cheryl Rudat Thomas-Miller '64 and Garrie Weber Gillaspie '65, have traveled many miles over the years. During Homecoming 2022, they prioritized reuniting for a visit back to the house. Their husbands sent them off from their fraternity on a rickshaw, something new to them on campus, right up to the front door of the Gamma Phi house. Once the alumnae sisters arrived, they were pleased and happy to see their college home in such great condition, both inside and out. After climbing the infamous stairway and landing to the first floor, they stood in the hallway in their matching pink silk neck scarves and recounted memories of sharing that corner room, which pledge mother Cheryl had decorated in hot pink! They stood outside the room for a photo, by the phone booth on the end, where they had both spent countless phone-duty hours either taking messages for the actives or going to their room to find them (this was before cell phones). They agreed it was a good way to get to know the actives' names. After a while, it was time to leave, and upon going down the stairs, they found a group of Gamma Phi sisters going to the football game. After some fun conversation, they learned that not one, not two, but three were Gamma Phis in the Royal Court! Recounting memories and songs, Cheryl asked if they knew one of her favorite Gamma Phi songs. Unfamiliar with the tune, they insisted that Cheryl sing it for them, which she reticently but happily did. Cheryl's rendition of "Dear Mom" provided a sweet, special moment for all the sisters. Their rickshaw soon arrived, so they asked to ride by the fountain in front of the Union where a huge pep rally was going on for the football game that evening. As they rode off together, their new Gamma Phi friends/ sisters from the crowd waved at them and loudly yelled "Go Big Red!" and "Go Gamma Phi!" Garrie and Cheryl look forward to having many more Gamma Phi mother and daughter opportunities to continue their long friendship. MENTORS AND MEMORIES How Katherine Warneke Blycker '13 was Shaped by Pi Chapter Cheryl Rudat Thomas-Miller '64 and Garrie Weber Gillaspie '65 enjoying their visit at the house.

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