Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

page 7 | University of Missouri W e would love to complete our collection of composites posted on the Alpha Nu of AXO: Missouri Tiger Alumnae Facebook page, and we need your help. Certain composites are either missing or damaged. If you have a composite from any of the following years, please scan it at the highest resolution and send it to Julie Erselius Abeln '84 at juliedoug26@yahoo.com. If you have any questions, please call (314) 973-6400. 1960-61 and prior (minus 1955) 1965-66 1968-69 1970-71 1971-72 1977-78 2007-08 These are posted, but we would love better copies: 1963-64 1964-65 1967-68 1981-82 Composites Needed Help us grow the collection! President Julie Erselius Abeln '84 Vice President Bev Wood Nichols '75 Treasurer Karen Knoblauch Neylon '79 Secretary Ginny Shellhorn Hermanson '90 Members Mary Ann Eggers Beahon '65 Anna Whitman Binggeli, Delta Chi '69 Jeannine Bax Brickey '81 Lori Rigdon Herman '81 Krystin Lemon Cooper '87 For those interested in serving on the chapter's House Corporation Board, please contact Julie Erselius Abeln '84 at juliedoug26@yahoo.com. House Corporation Board Sisterhood Brings Balance Sisterhood Brings Balance How Carla Henke Mattson '68 sticks with Alpha Chi Omega A s a high school student, Carla Henke Mattson '68 was highly involved in many activities. That became more difficult when she entered a much larger community at Mizzou. Fortunately, this changed when she joined Alpha Chi Omega as a sophomore. "I didn't know a whole lot about sororities, but I knew that Alpha Chi was a really good one at Mizzou," Carla said. "Everyone was friendly and made me feel welcome." Carla wasn't the typical sorority girl at that time, as she was on financial aid and working her way through college. "I worked about 15 hours a week for the university as a secretary—for the minimum wage of 50 cents an hour." But Carla's sisters supported her endeavors, giving her confidence and strength. She was even selected as the Maple Leaf pledge, who exhibited the strongest drive to be a member. Before long, Carla was once again an involved member of her new school. She held several offices in Alpha Nu, worked on the steering committee for Greek Week and, as a senior, was selected for Fanfare for Fifty, which recognized that year's 50 most outstanding women at the university. Carla was also a member of the Brigadeers and official hostesses to the university as well as MU's competitive drill team, which competed nationally in precision marching. Carla lived in St. Louis after graduating and enjoyed activities through the local Sigma Sigma alumnae chapter. When she moved to Kansas City in 1975, she met people by getting involved with the Mu Mu alumnae chapter, serving as president among several other roles. Carla has always enjoyed attending the national convention, where she received her 50-year pin. She has also been a generous donor to Alpha Nu and was pleased to attend the chapter's centennial gala. "Alpha Chi isn't the only organization I've been in, but I've always enjoyed the connections," Carla said. Her favorite part of Mu Mu through the years has been meeting sisters of all ages from different schools and walks of life. "Whenever I'm with my Alpha Chi sisters, I feel good about myself—they've always supported me." Carla has enjoyed several careers in her adult life, starting as a teacher in St. Louis. After moving to Kansas City and having her first child, she worked in sales and was one of the top 10 salespeople at her company. She later worked with her late husband on their business, JEM International, where she is still a partial owner. In the last 15 years, Carla was also elected as the first woman on several HOA boards, including one for condos in Gulf Shores, Ala. Carla's three children each have a Greek affiliation and are married with kids of their own. Out of her 10 grandchildren, she hopes at least one of her nine granddaughters chooses Alpha Chi Omega! Her advice to today's sisters: "Have a balanced life. You don't want to just be a study nerd, and you don't just want to be working all the time." Carla lives in Lenexa, Kan., and can be reached at chmattson@aol.com. "Whenever I'm with my Alpha Chi sisters, I feel good about myself— they've always supported me." Carla and her late husband with their grandchild.

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