Chi Omega - University of Wisconsin

Nu Chapter of Chi Omega at the University of Wisconsin • Summer 2025 THE NU'S Χ Ω T his year was a wonderful one in the house! We saw many changes with a new house director, Camille, and a house dog, Riley Ann; the women thoroughly enjoyed spending their time with both! Unfortunately, Camille has decided to return home to Washington State, so we are in the process of hiring a new house director. This year, Kathy Suckow Murtfeldt '72 stepped down from her role as vice president of the house corporation. Kathy played a pivotal role in rebuilding the Nu house board, leading the fundraising campaign, and heading up all the renovation projects. Please drop Kathy a note after reading her spotlight to the right and thank her for her many years of service to Nu and all that she has done for the Chapter. We have also welcomed a few new members to the board: Hope Jensen Ferguson '14, Angel Whetstone, Upsilon Beta '15, Lindsay Westwood, Beta Lambda '12, and Arria Alton, Sigma Epsilon '19. They will serve alongside our remaining board members, Niquanna Walls Barnett, Theta Delta '97, Erika Beusse Meyer, Rho Beta '00, Kelley Mathews Christenson, Eta Beta '81, and Anne Bouffard Bern '80. Again, thank you to all these wonderful sisters for volunteering to serve this sisterhood. K athy Suckow Murtfeldt '72 decided to join Chi Omega her freshman year, following the path of her mom and aunt. She loved that Nu Chapter was made up of women from all over the country. Kathy has nostalgic memories of getting dressed up and dancing at the spring and fall formals. She also enjoyed sitting together with her sisters to cheer on the Badgers at UW football games. "Chi Omega gave me leadership opportunities as Chapter president, learning to work together with other Chi Omega sisters to achieve goals and solve problems." After graduation, Kathy took the skills she gained in Chi Omega into the housewares and small appliance industry. The gourmet housewares business was just getting started when Kathy began her career in 1975. "I was part of the introduction to American consumers of higher-quality foods and the kitchen appliances needed to create them." Throughout her career, Kathy started her own manufacturer's representative business, becoming an entrepreneur during a time when few women were in sales management. She designed a larger reusable canvas shopping bag for Trader Joe's that is still used today. She worked for an importer in the 1970s, where she helped introduce home espresso and cappuccino machines to the U.S. market. She also worked for Carl Sontheimer, selling thousands of Cuisinart food processors and many other culinary products. Her career gave her the opportunity to travel internationally to trade shows and manufacturers' headquarters In retirement, Kathy learned that the Nu Chapter House was in disrepair and needed an extensive renovation. With more time on her hands, she joined the house corporation board to help raise funds and managed the renovation for the project. "The generous support from other Chi Omega Nu sisters in donating to the renovation effort was inspiring. We worked with alumnae volunteers on the board to solve financial shortfalls, manage a large multi-year construction project, and better understand collegiate members and their priorities." Throughout her 10 years on the board, she not only oversaw the capital campaign but also numerous renovation and redecoration projects—all from her home in California. Kathy met her husband, Bob, on a blind date set up by her Chi Omega roommate, Judy Schmidt Jenson '72. The couple will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this summer. They recently purchased a second home in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. "My husband and I are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and family in Wisconsin and participating in Chi Omega and UW activities." In her free time, Kathy enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, water fitness, and swimming. She and Bob love spending time with their grandsons, Julian and Finley. They are also active in their community, supporting non-profit organizations working in fighting cancer, world hunger, and women's health. You can connect with Kathy at kmurtfeldt@icloud.com. Serving Chi O and Community Kathy Suckow Murtfeldt '72 on Her Career and Remaining Involved CHANGES AT NU House Corporation Updates In Case You Missed It NU CHAPTER FEATURED TWICE IN LATEST ELEUSIS L ucy Jania '24 and the Milwaukee Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter were featured in the winter 2025 issue of The Eleusis! Lucy was a Firesides Leadership Training Model Initiate, initiated with eight others at the Philadelphia Regional Training. The Milwaukee Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter welcomes Chi Omega alumnae of a variety of chapters and ages and has several events and gatherings throughout the year. Read more at bit.ly/Eleusis2025.

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