Kappa Delta - Florida State University

Alumnae gather to welcome Kappa Delta's newest sisters. O n Saturday, September 14, sisters gathered at the Chapter House with the family of Lisa Dart Waddell '86 to celebrate her life and Kappa Delta service. A beautiful vase in her memory will be on display at the house for all to enjoy. Read more and see additional pics on page 7. On Sunday, September 15, alumnae sisters gathered at the house to welcome Kappa Delta's new sisters. The House Corporation provided our traditional chicken divan meal. Jeri Kemp Hunter '76 was our emcee, and Alison Jakes Argersinger, Former National President, Gamma Epsilon led us in prayer and song. Alumnae Relations Chairman Alexis Lansdale '23 coordinated the new members' arrival. Vicki Wiman, Delta Iota, Patty Kitchen, Beta Pi, and Alexis Lansdale '23 made beautiful centerpieces that we can use for future events. The vase displayed in Lisa's memory. SEPTEMBER EVENT RECAP A fter graduating from high school, Laurye Strickland Messer '82 enrolled in Tallahassee Community College (now Tallahassee State College). Her high school boyfriend went away to college, and she looked forward to his phone calls and visits. When he broke up with her the fall of her freshman year, she transferred to Florida State. Wanting to make friends fast, she went through recruitment. "I was fairly sheltered, shy, and lacked confidence," she shared. "What made Kappa Delta right for me is that they were centered, authentic, accomplished, and interested in who I was on the inside, not what I looked like on the outside." "Kappa Delta planted seeds in me," she added. "Some sprouted right away and blossomed into instant and lasting friendships, but some seeds took a long time to sprout." While Kappa Delta always emphasized the power each woman had to be a leader, Laurye's shy self also worked 30-35 hours a week to afford sorority dues and living expenses and never took a leadership role in or outside the sorority. At age 50, Laurye took on A Full Summer as a cause to help local children who struggle with hunger. "Sisters heard about it and started to contribute financially. Then, the KD Alumnae Chapter created a KD team to participate in our annual Snack Pack. KD is the only sorority in a room of 300 people at our Snack Pack, and I'm so proud to be one of them." When it comes to volunteering, Laurye believes in giving yourself fully to organizations whose mission you have a passion for. She enjoys mentoring students outside the classroom, and much of her time is dedicated to St. John's Episcopal Church. "In many ways, the leadership skills I've learned volunteering there, along with those seeds Kappa Delta planted, have prepared me for my work mentoring and for the faith to organize A Full Summer." In her late forties, Laurye went back to school at Florida State so she could teach history. She is now an instructor at Tallahassee State College. "On the first day of class, I try to plant the same seeds KD planted in me by telling my students that now is the time to focus on creating the best versions of themselves. I teach history and use stories of perseverance and struggle to illustrate to my students that sometimes it's the challenges in life that make us great. The students are the highlight of her career. "The great thing about being a teacher is that every semester has the possibility of being a career highlight. It depends on the students that I'm fortunate enough to have in my class." Laurye has been married to her high school sweetheart, Jim, for 39 years. "Yes, he's the guy who broke up with me during Thanksgiving break of our freshman year, but I am so grateful for that part of my life. I wouldn't be a KD had we stayed together through college." KD's Impact on Laurye Strickland Messer '82 Planting Seeds They have three children, of whom Laurye is very proud. Elliott is the production manager of Trulieve for the state of West Virginia. His wife, Alex, is an art history professor. Sarah is a lawyer in New York City. Her husband, Ross, is an architect. Lizzie, University of North Florida '13 is a federal lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Her husband, Gabe, is a consultant for a communications firm. In her free time, Laurye enjoys traveling the backroads and cooking. "I love to incorporate history in my travels and the meals I create. I've had a Thomas Jefferson dinner at my house more than once!" You can connect with her at lauryemesser@gmail.com. L AURYE 'S FAVORI T E KD ME MORY "When I was a KD, each pledge had to create a 'pledge song.' I was called on quite often to sing my pledge song at dinner. Although I acted like I was embarrassed, secretly I really loved to sing it. The title was, 'If I Only Had a Pin,' and it was set to the music of The Wizard of Oz's 'If I Only Had a Brain.'"

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