Alpha Phi - University of Missouri

5 Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi New Programs Improve Omicron's Academics O micron members completed the spring 2013 semester with an overall average G.P.A. of 3.20, placing our chapter above the all-university G.P.A., the all-female G.P.A., and the all-Greek G.P.A.   The chapter implemented several new programs during the past semester to aid members in achieving academic excellence. A mentoring program was launched, pairing younger members with an older sister in the same major. Members were required to meet with all of their professors at the beginning of the term, and mid-semester grade checks were reported to ensure any members needing tutoring would receive help before the semester ended. Omicron seniors celebrate graduation D These new academic programs paid off for Alpha Phi, and the chapter raised its overall G.P.A. by .031 as compared to 2012! Alumna Shares Her Lifetime Commitment to Alpha Phi ee Ledford Malone '95 was raised in a small town with only 53 people in her graduating class. "A campus the size of Mizzou and Greek life was something I had never experienced, but I developed a great passion for it. I'm an extrovert by nature and love being surrounded by people. What drew me into Alpha Phi was that it felt right from the first day I walked into the house." She and her husband, Jay, are Mizzou football season ticket holders, and they visit campus often in the fall. She's excited about the new updates to the house. "I'm ready to move back in! The house looks amazing. During college, air conditioning was a luxury few enjoyed; the bathrooms left something to be desired; and good study locations were few and far between. Fast forward to now, and the ladies have all those amenities, and it reinforces that alumnae financial support of our chapter is put to good use and keeps the chapter house competitive on campus." Dee served Omicron chapter as Scholarship Chairman, Treasurer, and President. She gained a great sense of pride as a member of Alpha Phi. "When I looked at the women next to me, I was surrounded by successful, intelligent, driven women. They encouraged me to rise to the occasion and better myself: to succeed, be challenged, and grow. To know that I was in their company always gave me a great sense of pride." As the Chapter President, Dee was faced with the challenge of leading the chapter during the recolonization process. "Leading a group of women through that transition period forced me to develop my leadership skills to a higher level in a very short amount of time. However, it is one of the events in my life I look back on and realize, without that experience, my leadership skills wouldn't be where they are today. It truly positioned me to take advantage of career opportunities in front of me." One important aspect that came from that experience was earning an internship with Hallmark the summer before her senior year. She says being able to demonstrate what she did for the chapter helped her obtain the position. After she graduated with her bachelor's degree in finance, she accepted a full-time position with Hallmark and has been with the company since. She is the Space Planning Manager for Dee and Jay show their loyal stripes Hallmark's Walmart Team, with responsibility for macro product footage and assortment for over 2,500 Walmart stores. "I lead a team of professionals to manage the high-level space allocations for all the Hallmark departments in Walmart stores across the country." Since graduating, Dee has maintained an active role in Alpha Phi. She has served on the house corporation board Finance Committee, International Strategic Planning Committee, the KC alumnae chapter board, and assisted with Omicron's capital campaign. She has also stayed connected with her Omicron sisters. "We're at the age where there are lots of family demands and busy careers. We stay up to date on each others' lives on Facebook, and occasionally meet for lunch." Dee's support of Alpha Phi has been a priority since first walking into the chapter house. "The day you pledge, you take on the legacy behind you, as well as the future ahead of you. I didn't just pledge for a few years; I pledged for life, and I consider it part of my future duty as an alumna. I owe a lot to Omicron for what I learned through the responsibilities given to me by the chapter— the development and leadership exposure I received. I want to give something back." Whether supporting the capital campaign or the annual campaign, Dee encourages sisters to give back and knows that no gift is too small. "Whatever you can contribute is fantastic and appreciated. Every dollar adds up and is put to good use to continue Omicron's legacy." Dee and Jay live in Shawnee, Kansas, with their five-year-old son, Gus. Outside of her career at Hallmark, she is a part-time finance department professor at two universities in the Kansas City area. In her free time, she and her husband are involved with their son's athletic pursuits, coaching and managing his teams. "Gus' goal is to be wearing the black and gold uniform in Columbia in about 13 years." E-mail:dee.malone@hallmark.com.

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