Alpha Gamma Delta - University of Alabama

The Squirrel's Nest 2 Property Advisor Oversees Sorority House Construction The following is a letter written by Property Advisor Leigh Stutts Heifner '93 about her experiences during sorority house construction. I pledged Alpha Gamma Delta in the fall of 1993. My older sister, Molli '92, was already a member at Psi Chapter. I had been visiting the AGD house since I was 16 and felt like it was already my home away from home. I knew when I walked through those doors and sat on the cow couch that this was the chapter for me. I joined Psi Chapter with 45 wonderful women. We spent the next four years getting to know each other and growing into our own. I majored in nursing at the University of Alabama. When I was a junior, I was elected as vice president of new members. Back then, the position was called pledge trainer. I thoroughly enjoyed my role that year getting to know and guiding 45 new members. I was later elected as chapter president during my senior year. I moved back to Tuscaloosa in the spring of 2004 and offered to help with Psi Chapter. I had a wonderful experience as an undergraduate and really wanted to help in any way possible. I became the property advisor in 2005. My role was to advise an undergraduate officer about the needs of the sorority house, guide the house director, and participate in House Association meetings as a liaison from the chapter. Two years ago, the House Association discussed the possibility of building a new sorority house. We were in dire need of space and decided that we would pursue the opportunity that the University had offered us. I was appointed as the representative of Alpha Gamma Delta for construction. I knew it would be a large commitment but did not realize how involved I would be. I participated in every meeting between the University, architect, and contractor for the duration of the project. We made many decisions based on the undergraduates' requests and feedback. The project lasted for 18 months. It was my full-time job at the time. Fortunately, I was able to work with an excellent architect, Nick Holmes, and contractor, WAR Construction, which made the job a pleasure. Overall, it was a great experience making sure that alumnae could give the undergraduates exactly what they needed to make Psi Chapter their home away from home. We wanted our new sorority house to be a welcoming environment not only for the girls, but also for their parents and alumnae who stop by to visit. We are extremely proud of the house we have built. We only hope this new sorority house will give the future Alpha Gams as many wonderful memories as we all had from 1960 to 2012 in our old house. Psi Chapter Welcomes Thank You, Alumnae, for Helpi W hen we returned in August, we were so excited to learn that our chapter was ranked third in academics among all of the sororities on campus for the spring 2013 semester. We are proud of our members and all of their hard work to earn a 3.47 GPA. We host frequent study halls and are working hard to boost our grades this semester. Focused on Philanthropy On September 11, we held a Back to School philanthropy event at The Pants Store in Tuscaloosa. Part of the proceeds went to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation. Kiley Gipson '11 is planning our annual Cookout for Diabetes event with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Mary Harmon Tyson '12 has been working with Fiji to organize Fifth Quarter after each home football game. She is responsible for making sure members volunteer to help package food from the zone after each game. Fifth Quarter continues to be a huge success and we are thankful for this wonderful opportunity. Successful Recruitment We are excited to welcome 117 new members to Psi Chapter, resulting in AGD's largest chapter of 343 members. In September, the university and Panhellenic Association began the Continuous Open Bidding process. Psi Chapter was able to extend bids and welcome five new members to our sisterhood. Lindsey Kahn '10, Lucy Pylant '11, Taylor Bannister '11, and Amy Gibbs '11 worked hard to make recruitment a wonderful experience for everyone. Members spent one week in workshops preparing for the week of recruitment. Outstanding Members Recognized Lambda Sigma Honor Society Anna Montgomery '12, Natalie Pare '12, Joy Prinsell '12, Polly Ricketts '12 Cardinal Key Honor Society Anna Boyce '11, Riley Goodman '11, Sarah Fitzpatrick '11, Annie Newton '11, Sara Snider '11, Lucy Pylant '11 Order of Alpha Honor Society Taylor Bannister '11, Jordan David '11, Sara Rogan '11 Order of Omega Honor Society Candice Dunn '10, Lizzie Ernstberger '10, Samantha Gaffney '10, Alex Graham '10, Lindsey Kahn '10, Sara Lavender '10, Genie Smith '10, Katlyn Stricklend '10 Blue Key Honor Society Kristen Blair '10, Candice Dunn '10, Lizzie Ernstberger '10, Samantha Gaffney '10, Genie Smith '10, Katlyn Stricklend '10 ODK Honor Society Kristen Blair '10, Michelle Dunajcik '10, Candice Dunn '10, Lizzie Ernstberger '10, Samantha Gaffney '10, Alex Graham '10, Genie Smith '10, Katlyn Stricklend '10 Mortar Board Honor Society Candice Dunn '10, Lizzie Ernstberger '10, Samantha Gaffney '10, Alex Graham '10, Genie Smith '10 XXI Lizzie Ernstberger '10, Samantha Gaffney '10, Genie Smith '10 Anderson Society Genie Smith '10 Freshman of the Year: Polly Ricketts '12 Sophomore of the Year: Jordan David '11 President of the Year: Lissa Handley Tyson '09

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