Sigma Kappa - Purdue University

Visions Violets of Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority at Purdue University • Summer 2023 Inside: The Family Tree Still Thrives 2 ❤ Springtime with Beta Sigma 3 ❤ 75th Anniversary Photos 4-5 M ore than 170 alumnae representing 29 different pledge classes, spanning almost 60 years, gathered in May at our beloved Sigma Kappa chapter house at 427 Russell Street to celebrate Beta Sigma's 75th anniversary on Purdue University's campus. PLANNING THE EVENT The reunion weekend started as an idea and conversation between Betsy Liley '83 and Christine Stoecker Watson '83 about how to renew alumnae interest in the chapter. Additional calls were made to other sisters, and five years later, the idea materialized into a 75th anniversary reunion weekend to celebrate the chapter's founding in 1948. FESTIVITIES BEGIN The Friday evening welcome home event was filled with emotion as sisters reconnected and recalled memories of their time in Sigma Kappa. Nearly 50 alumnae stayed in the chapter house over the weekend, reliving the fun of bunk beds, cold-air dorms, and sharing rooms with their Big/Little sisters, pledge sisters, and friends old and new. Saturday featured an opening circle, during which the 19 members of the 1976 pledge class serenaded the group with a heartfelt Sigma Kappa song. The 15 volunteer collegians organized fun sessions about what recruitment is like now and a Jeopardy game about Sigma Kappa, Greek life, and Purdue University. The Boilermaker Special provided tours around campus all afternoon, and Sigma Kappas danced and relived college memories with a takeover of the second floor of Harry's Chocolate Shop. Saturday night included a sisterhood reception at Purdue Memorial Union. Abby Nelson, Purdue's associate director of sorority, fraternity, and cooperative life, highlighted Sigma Kappa's engagement and grades as among the top three on campus. Dean and Professor Emerita Barbara Nelson talked about how critical the bonds of friendship are between women and how the anniversary reunion signifies the deep bond of sisterhood. That evening, dinners took place at Arni's, the homes of local sisters, and other places throughout West Lafayette. More than 75 alumnae gathered at Neon Cactus for piano karaoke, featuring a rowdy rendition of "Hail Purdue!" CONNECTED THROUGH BETA SIGMA The weekend concluded with Sunday brunch and a closing circle of songs. At the end, we recommitted to our sisterhood with these words composed by former Chapter President Linda Neff '80: "May you stand strong like a mountain, flow like water, be centered in heart and grounded in spirit. May you be the light, the love, the peace that goes out in this world, creating a ripple effect so that others may also know the feeling of the mystic bonds of our sisterhood. Connecting us with one another and our worlds, heart to heart and hand to hand." Loyally, Christie Gillespie '85 House Corporation Board President chrislg1222@gmail.com Celebrating 75 Years of Beta Sigma Celebrating 75 Years of Beta Sigma ALUMNAE GATHER FOR A MOMENTOUS OCCASION THE FOUNDING SISTERS Originally founded in 1946 as Beta Xi, Beta Sigma Chapter became part of Sigma Kappa in 1948. We are eternally grateful to these eight women for their leadership and vision in the founding of Beta Sigma Chapter. Boots Eichorn '48 Mary Louise Kull Hopkins '48 Ruth Newcombe Johnson '48 Patricia Dwyer Kammer '48 Marti McCool Lynch '48 Penny Pennington '48 Reva Coffin Sahm '48 Vivian Hatch Wood '48 75TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION ATTENDEE STATS Most senior member in attendance: Georgann Coldren Wyatt '60 Traveled the farthest: Ginger Moreland Consani '81 (Torrance, CA) and Marcie Schultz Eilers '81 (Vista, CA) Everyone in attendance for the 75th anniversary event.

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