Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

H H H Sigma star S igma Kappa triangle decorations around the house, alumni chapter meetings in her living room, and family visits to the Xi house are just some of the ways Cheri Stelmach Beaver '74 was introduced to our sisterhood before she ever enrolled at KU. The early initiation was courtesy of Cheri's mother, Patricia Scherrer Stelmach '42. Cheri, however, initially decided to forge a different path. "I attended the University of Virginia for the first two years of college," she shared. "Then my mom asked me to tag along to Sigma Kappa Convention in 1974." Cheri participated in a variety of Convention activities, most of which were in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Sigma Kappa. Yet, the most influential event of the trip was meeting several undergraduate members of Xi Chapter. "They were fun, friendly, and obviously good friends with each other," Cheri recalled. By the time she headed home, she had decided to transfer to KU. Cheri lived in the chapter house for the next three years and soon got involved in chapter leadership, first as recruitment chairman and later as chapter president. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in environmental design, Cheri stepped into the workforce with an internship that earned her a second bachelor's degree in architecture. Her career as an architect has been primarily focused on residential builds; she currently designs single-family homes and apartments in the Kansas City area. Beginning in the 1980s, Cheri put her skills to work for Sigma Kappa by taking on design projects for Xi Chapter. A few years ago, she was excited to have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the architect of a new chapter house. "I served on the board from 2002 to 2008," she shared. "As we approached the 100th anniversary, we wanted to do something that would be a really big deal." Membership had outgrown the house to the point that some had to live in nearby apartments. "We knew that just wasn't the same as having everyone under one roof, so I left the board and started working to develop a set of plans to accomplish our goals," Cheri said. Today, she intends to continue making sure Xi Chapter's members have a comfortable, beautiful place to call home. Cheri lives with her husband in Independence, Missouri; the couple has four children and four grandchildren. "We have an empty nest other than an 8-month-old beagle named Baxter!" Cheri has a heartfelt message for the sisters who helped her through a difficult time last year. "I appreciated the kindness of my fellow Sigma Kappas when my mother passed this past October," she shared. "They were very good support." If you'd like to get in touch with Cheri, you can send an email to csbeaver@nspjarch.com. From the Heart President Millicent Soderna '22 Vice President of Standards and Values Lilly Reiner '22 Vice President of Programming Emma Anderson '22 Vice President of New Member Education Lillian Robinson '22 Vice President of Recruitment Lydia Seymour '21 Vice President of Academic Excellence Laney Turner '22 Vice President of Alumnae Relations Brynn Bertie '22 Vice President of Philanthropic Services Maddie Hartley '21 Vice President of Finance Anika Powers '21 Vice President of Communications and Operations Molly Wier '21 Panhellenic Delegate Phoebe Evans '21 Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Olivia Phipps '22 Chapter Chapter Officers Officers How a Xi Chapter Legacy Became Our House Architect Xi Chapter 2024 executive board. C H E R I S T E L M A C H B E A V E R ' 7 4

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