Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Lyre Letter 2 F or Shari Harmon Ashkar Byer '72, the journey with Alpha Chi Omega began with hometown connections and an admiration for women who embodied kindness and inner beauty. "There were several great sisters in Marion, Indiana," she recalled. "I was Y-Teen president in high school, and the daughter of our sponsor, Dory Miltenberger Brunner '69, rushed me. She was beautiful inside and out, so it was only natural that I pledged Alpha Chi." As a member, Shari was proud of the chapter's exceptional achievements and campus involvement. "The fact that we had four members tapped into Mortar Board my senior year was very impressive," she said. The chapter's active presence also earned them the prestigious National Trophy. Shari's own contribution came through creating some new chapter traditions. "I was most proud of originating the 'Sweetheart of Alpha Chi' award," she said, adding she was thrilled to learn this cherished tradition continues today. Her time with Alpha Chi left a lasting mark on the chapter and influenced her leadership skills, which would shape her for years to come. Shari's professional path took her into vocational home economics education; she earned her bachelor's degree in 1975. Today, she is a successful business owner with Bella Sofia Studio, an endeavor that has also allowed her to empower other women. "Laura, my partner, grew up selling embroidered Mexican clothing in her mother's boutique in Mexico City," Shari shared. "Together, we design unique tops and dresses crafted by our vendors in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our customers are blown away by the fact that the embroidery is all done by hand!" For Shari, these dresses are wearable works of art. For the women who make them, it's a vital source of income that helps them feed their families. "For me, business ownership is all about paying it forward and empowering other women to chase their dreams," she said. Shari recently established an endowed scholarship, inspired by her own educational journey and her mother's resilience. "I was the first in my family to go to college," she explained. "But my mother was able to become a nurse through the Cadet Nursing program during WWII. Her ability to get an education changed our lives." As a Purdue student, Shari received scholarships and felt now was the time to repay that kindness and encourage other women along their way. Alpha Chi's sisterhood has continued to enrich Shari's life, bringing her cherished friendships and unforgettable adventures. "I visited my little sister, Cathy Bingman Tennant '73, in Madrid and traveled with another sister, Sally Sendmeyer Laan '72, to Paris—one of my favorite memories!" she said. Currently residing in Houston, Texas, Shari has recently remarried and is enjoying life with her husband, Barry. "I had distilled my wish list down to three things: I wanted a man who loved Jesus, was smart and could make me smile. Barry does all those things!" Together, they've traveled on mission trips to Honduras, with Shari spearheading recycling initiatives to bring much-needed resources to local schools. Shari encourages Alpha Chi alumnae to remain active, echoing the words of past National President Angela Costley Harris '86, "You weren't an Alpha Chi; you always are one!" If you'd like to contact Shari, you can send her an email at gig213@aol.com. Shari (third from left) and her husband (center) with Alpha Chi sisters and their husbands at the Houston Area Panhellenic Association dinner. Embracing the Beauty of Sisterhood SHARI HARMON ASHKAR BYER '72 SHARES LIFELONG LOVE FOR AXO SHARI HARMON ASHKAR BYER '72 SHARES LIFELONG LOVE FOR AXO Thank You, Loyal Alumnae, for Supporting Our Hearth Project! W e are truly grateful to our donors below who purchased engraved bricks in support of our patio hearth project. This beautiful space will be a permanent reminder of your unending love and loyalty to Alpha Chi. If your name has been mistakenly omitted from this list, we sincerely apologize. Please contact Haley Harwood at hharwood@penningtonco.com with any corrections. Darrell Gerke In memory of Barbara Gerke '65 Julia Kirkpatrick McKinney In honor of Mary Bishop Kirkpatrick 1920 and Rebecca Jane McKinney '88 Barbara Black Doyle '54 Ann Swihart Butts '61 Pledge Class of 1963+ In memory of Mary Harrison Ford '57 Jane Rasp McGeehan '63 In honor of Pledge Class 1963 Dorothy Garvin Tonjes '63 Martha Boyd Alford '65 Carol Hunt Clancy '65 Laurie Kay Eckart '67 Penelope Hickel Hughes '67 Jeannene Ackerman '68 Mary Lou Moody Poole '69 Sherry Johnson Hunter '70 Barbara Scott Krawczyk '70 Cathy Buckley Allen '71 Ann McClamroch Jackson '71 Patricia Edwards Russell '72 Kay Weiler Vanasco '72 Lisa Griffin Dum '74 Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 Susan Black Parsons '74 Lauri Speight Sullivan '74 Lisa Adams Davis '75 Liz Rulon Keele '75 Rebecca Casey Sue Schlecht '75 Gayle Nassau Simon '76 Pledge Class of 1982 BJ Mamuzic '82 Kristin Kurtz Stolz '86 Beth Caltrider Price '87 Kristen Koning McCain '88 Kelly Taulman Allen '89 Amy Nixon McClure '90 Kristi Smith Jordan '96 Betsy Villwock Bowman '01 Katherine Thomas Glick '04 Elizabeth Lehmann Lugo '04 Anne Turner Eidam '05 Heather Burke Moore '05 Sarah Diaz Marra '06 Amy Hill Johnston '10 Brittany Thatcher Williams '11 Hannah Wever '17 Kimberly Torolski '18

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