Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

h h h Sigma kappa Support Xi Chapter through United Way Ask Your Employer about Matching Gift Opportunities M any companies support the United Way by having employees donate an amount from their salaries. This provides alumnae and parents of our members an opportunity to support the Campaign for Xi Chapter. When you make a donation to the United Way, you have the opportunity to designate an organization to receive the donation; The Sigma Kappa Foundation is one of those organizations. Just e-mail the Sigma Kappa Foundation at foundation@sigmakappa.org and let them know you have made a donation through the United Way and ask them to apply the donation to the Xi Chapter fund. Also, many companies will match your donation, so please ask your human resources or accounting departments. It's that easy! (Loyal Society continued) Cynthia Miller Wright '67 Barbara Deetjen Bromby '68 Kathleen Leary Holly '68 Tish Holub Taylor '68 Marty Paulson Pope '69 Linda Richards Stoker '69 Sharen Opperman Mingee '70 Denise Eldridge Gossage '72 Susan Brazee Tucker '72 Martha Haefele Domme '75 Vicki Farrar Thompson '75 In memory of Anneliese Schnierle Engelmann '50 Joyce Siler Bellassai '76 Karen Schlager Stansberry '77 Melinda McClellan Burton '78 Sheila Norton Christiansen '78 Janet Schulenberg Wiens '78 In memory of Helen and John Schulenberg Stephanie King '81 Mary Sauder‑Newman '82 Kendra Gooch Schoeman '82 Sarah Strief Bonefas '89 Kimberly Schrameyer Simonds '91 Gretchen Havner '92 Holly Coulter Dunlap '95 Samantha Ventsam '95 Wendy Wiedel Horan '96 Kara Donohoe Manning '96 Carly Zimmerman Stowell '96 Elizabeth Wristen Wakeman '96 Melissa Yeager '96 Stacey Hurst Morgan '97 Melissa Gard '98 Lesley Hughes '98 Kelli Jenkinson '98 Ana Duran Williams '98 Melissa Malone Godinez '03 Megan Sullivan '10 and Family In memory of Miss Norine Alumna Gives Back to Maintain a Lasting Legacy G oing through recruitment can be an overwhelming process when trying to find the right fit. Luckily, the Sigma Kappas made Heather Woodson Carmichael '97 feel at home. "I joined Sigma Kappa because the girls were real, fun, and down to earth. I felt so at ease with them during the recruitment process." While earning her bachelor's degree in business communications from the journalism school, Heather served as the social chairman and held a position with the Student Union Activities office. "I was extremely proud to be a member of Xi Chapter because I looked around and saw the fantastic, smart, strong women that I was affiliated with." Looking back, Heather recalls many special memories, too many to list them all. "Some of my favorites were parties like Snake and Safari with our dates in gorilla suits, learning a million songs and being exhausted during recruitment, activities during Sigma Chi Derby Days, trips with my sisters, and any food made by Dennis." Heather is a stay-at-home mom and copyeditor for a publishing company, editing both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. "My degree, specifically, all the writing and editing classes, and past work experience in marketing and advertising helped me to easily transition to this position." She says it was the help of a fellow sister and her experience in the chapter that helped her achieve success. "An older member in the house helped me decide my major. Sigma Kappa helped me gain confidence and gave me a home and support system while I was at KU. As cheesy as it sounds, I definitely stumbled up the front steps and walked out the back door gracefully thanks to all the amazing women I met there." Heather chose to give back to the campaign to honor the impact Sigma Kappa made in her life. "I got involved because I loved my time in the Sigma Kappa house, and I am so proud of the fabulous women and the success of the chapter today. The new construction will give the house so many needed updates and allow us to really stand out during recruitment. I hope we can leave a legacy for many, many Sigma Kappas for years to come. Every dollar helps us achieve our goal. Donate, and encourage your friends to donate." For Heather, giving back financially is only one way she has supported and stayed connected with the chapter since graduating. "I try to visit the house every time I'm in Lawrence. It looks the same, and yet it is evolving and changing so much. I am so proud of the ladies in the house and all their recent achievements. I attended mock recruitment and the centennial celebration. It was great to meet so many generations of sisters." Heather has also stayed close with sisters from her time in the chapter. "My sisters are my closest friends. They truly are my support system and soul mates. We met when we were teenagers and most have stayed together through all of life's ups and downs. We live in different cities and states, but we are closer today than ever. We plan to be old ladies in rocking chairs in the same retirement community someday." Heather and her husband, Michael, live in Overland Park, Kansas, and have three children: Brady, Lauren, and Leah. They also have three dogs and a fish named Bill Self. She enjoys spending time with her children, volunteering for her church and kids' schools, coaching kindergarten girls' soccer, and leading Daisy Scouts. "Our lives are beautiful chaos." You can contact Heather at hcarmichael@ymail.com. Page 3

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