Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

Chapter Eternal Chapter Eternal Annetta Margaret Meyer Poirot '45, of rural Golden City, Mo., entered Chapter Eternal on Sept. 12, 2015. Annetta graduated with a degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri in 1948 and married Severin E. Poirot on May 7, 1948. In addition to raising five children, Annetta pursued genealogy, tracing hers and Severin's family history to the 18th century, all without a computer or the internet. She also enjoyed painting, drawing, knitting, scrapbooking, playing Christmas carols in July, collecting anything that was red and reading. She was an avid fan of the music of Scott Joplin. Barbara Beck Beeching '48 of Bloomfield, Conn., entered Chapter Eternal on June 6, 2023. Barbara graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism and later earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in history, going on to write and speak about Connecticut history. Barbara moved to Connecticut in 1963 and spent most of her career with the Connecticut Office of Tourism. Barbara and her late husband, Paul, had six children and seven grandchildren. Barbara Coso Bowie '50 of Leesburg, Va., entered Chapter Eternal on May 15, 2016. Barbara graduated from MU and went on to earn a master's degree at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. After her studies, Barbara worked as a head psychiatric social worker for multiples counties. Barbara enjoyed gardening and spending time outside. She and her husband would spend time at their pool watching grandchildren and great- grandchildren splashing in the water. Barbara had three children, three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Lea Jarrett Hecht '60 of Cape Girardeau, Mo., entered Chapter Eternal on Feb. 9, 2022. Lea graduated high school in 1957, going on to attend all-female William Woods Junior College. Lea was the first woman to take a class at Westminster Junior College, earning an associate of arts degree in 1959. She continued her education at the University of Missouri, graduating with a B.S. in education in 1961. After marrying in 1962 and relocating to Knoxville, Tenn., she taught in various schools. In Cape Girardeau, Lea became an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University, teaching composition and literature while scoring exams for the College Board SAT exams. She loved bridge, baseball and choirs. In retirement, she enjoyed cruises, including stops in Paris, Monet's Garden, Normandy, Santorini, Malta and the Acropolis. Lea is survived by her husband, two children and several grandchildren. Carol Gray Poteat '61 of Jefferson City, Mo., entered Chapter Eternal on April 14, 2023. Carol graduated in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in education after serving as chapter president. She went on to earn an MBA from Lincoln University. For the next 30 years, Carol taught science in the Jefferson City public school district. After retiring, Carol continued teaching part-time while tutoring students. Carol was passionate about politics, nature, traveling, family and her hobbies. She had two daughters and two grandchildren. Victoria Holtz Evans '65 of Lutherville, Md., entered Chapter Eternal on May 13, 2023. As an Air Force child, Vickie grew up in Germany, Japan, Korea and throughout the United States. She majored in education at the University of Missouri and served Alpha Nu as recruitment chairman. Vickie was devoted to raising her two children and volunteered in her community and at her children's schools. She was also chairman of the Baltimore Symphony Decorator Show Houses, and while living in California, she was chairman of the Cancer League before starting her own interior design business. Vickie and her former husband, Jerry, had a son and daughter and four grandchildren. Bettering the AXΩ Experience K ristin Donnell '08 fondly recalls having genuine conversations with the women of Alpha Chi Omega during recruitment and feeling at ease. Upon joining, it was her Alpha Nu sisters who made ΑΧΩ the right sorority for her— over and over again. "We all wanted a similar future for the chapter and worked together to leave it stronger than when we joined," she said. The sisters overcame challenges and celebrated successes together, and Kristin was proud to be a part of a great group of women. She remembers that Alpha Nu was a safe place to make mistakes and take risks, and she learned how to become a better leader. Alpha Nu then became a launching pad for her career. Kristin became a chapter consultant for Alpha Chi Omega post-graduation. After two years as a consultant, she moved into a headquarters role managing new chapters, and eventually the chapter advancement program, for the next four. Kristin loved bringing the sisterhood to many women and campuses that didn't have Alpha Chi Omega before. "I was able to establish 10 new chapters across the country and watch even more grow over their first five years," she shared. "One of the new chapters had under 100 women when I was a consultant there. This year, they hit 499 with the largest new member class in Alpha Chi Omega at 198! It is so rewarding to have helped set the foundation for something that is thriving." Kristin continues to be motivated by the opportunity to make the Alpha Chi Omega experience better tomorrow than it is today, and it makes sense to volunteer for the organization that gave her so much. Over the past five years, Kristin has served in several capacities. For three, she advised the vice president of recruitment information at Alpha Nu. During that time, she also coached recruitment for Delta Omega Chapter at the University of Kentucky. She also served as the co-chairman of the events committee for Alpha Nu's Centennial, having the best time connecting with different generations of Alpha Nu women for monthly calls leading up to the event and seeing sisters enjoy the weekend itself. She currently serves as the new chapter development specialist for the re-established Epsilon Upsilon Chapter at Mississippi State University as well as a facilitator for Collegiate Growth Academy. "I love getting to connect with collegians and alumnae all over the country. Watching the growth in chapters and individual women is so remarkable. Getting to build relationships with these women and cross paths with them as volunteers or in different volunteer roles is so special." In her career, Kristin is a training and leadership development manager at Woodard Cleaning and Restoration. She credits much of her professional success to her consultant experience and the training she received, especially in project management and people management. Kristin moved back to St. Louis in 2018 and bought her first home in 2021. She lives close to her Alpha Nu big sister, Kelli Kreher Rocco '07, and has loved hosting out-of-town sisters when they visit. Kristin recently joined the St. Louis County Community Chorus and has had fun singing with 180 other people. You can connect with her at kristin.donnell52@gmail.com. Kristin Donnell '08 loves serving the sisterhood that gave her so much

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