Kappa Kappa Gamma - Oklahoma State University

page 7 C indy Rowe Zelbst '78 and Stacey Rowe O'Reilly '80, having grown up on their family's ranch in Lawton, Oklahoma, didn't know what to expect from sorority life. Cindy happened to know two Kappa sisters when she arrived at OSU, and both had a contagious enthusiasm for the sisterhood. "One of them, a recent graduate, had a similar upbringing of ranching and riding horses," Cindy said. "She told me that she never felt uncomfortable parking her pick-up at the Kappa House." Kappa Kappa Gamma became like family, including a comforting home and older sisters ready to guide Cindy and her class. She was overjoyed when Stacey joined her two years later, worrying she would choose another sorority. "It was a great sigh of relief having my sister at Kappa with me." The Rowe sisters had their own unique experiences within the large chapter, but both were grateful for the lessons in sharing common interests, celebrating differences, and succeeding together. Stacey credits sorority life with teaching her to budget her time and organize her priorities. Cindy will never forget her first Homecoming with Kappa and loved the many parties they hosted, and Stacey fondly remembers camping out at Gallagher-Iba with sisters for basketball tickets. ("It was against that other large university in the state.") The Ranch and Beyond Cindy and Stacey's father managed their sprawling family ranch, where they lived. The girls would help with chores like feeding the cows and mowing when not in school. "During the summers, we spent a LOT of time on our horses—whether for fun or for work, whether with a saddle or without," Cindy said. "Off my sister and I went, all day long." "Living on the ranch could be a bit lonely, but when our friends reached driving age, our house became grand central," Stacey added. "Everyone wanted to be at our place with the wide-open spaces and creeks and a mountain (Mt. Sheridan) to climb." Stacey moved to Springfield, Missouri, in the mid-'80s and has been there ever since. She and her husband (whose family owns O'Reilly Auto Parts) have five kids and eight grandchildren. Cindy and her husband (a criminal defense attorney) have one son, Clay, and love to travel with Clay and his wife. She has a passion for the world of dog shows, having shown many of her own dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She also breeds Flat-Coated Retrievers and is the current president of the Flat- Coated Retriever Society of America. Her main job, however, is back on the ranch in Lawton. "It's truly a lifestyle that is not for everyone but is most definitely for me! I often think about our great-grandfather, who established our ranch in 1914, and hope that not only he, but also my grandfather and father, are smiling from above at how my husband and I are managing the ranch." Quality Sisterhood The Rowe sisters are thankful to Kappa Kappa Gamma for providing a home away from home to them and women from all walks of life. "My time in Stillwater built the foundation for me to grow in all aspects of my life," Cindy said. "My Kappa experience was just as important as my time in the classroom." "I hope Kappa can continue to mold and shape young women, preparing them for life beyond college," Stacey said. You can connect with Stacey at staceyorly@gmail.com and Cindy at crzelbst@aol.com. Stacey with her youngest grandchildren. Cindy with her family: husband John, son Clay, and daughter-in-law Victoria. T H E R O W E S I S T E R S G I V E T H A N K S F O R K K G A Place for Connection Stacey Rowe O'Reilly '80 (top) and Cindy Rowe Zelbst '78.

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