Kappa Kappa Gamma - Colorado State University

Epsilon Beta Chapter 2 Kappa Values Spread Around the World Pamela Rowe Smith '69 Sets a Standard for Leadership I n the chaos of the late 1960s, Pamela Rowe Smith '69 sought out Kappa Kappa Gamma for the sense of stability, protection, and family provided by a sorority. "The Kappas were very down to earth, practical, friendly, and open," Pam said. During recruitment, she was most impressed by a party centered on the singing group of Kappa Pickers. Pam became a member of the Kappa Pickers upon joining the chapter, which led to the opportunity to travel with the group for three tours with USO shows during the Vietnam War. The five members of the singing group had an incredible experience, and Pam remains in contact with her fellow Kappa Pickers today. Pam studied French and English while at Colorado State University. She was able to use her language skills extensively while living in Europe after graduation, briefly holding a position with the U.S. military, and later while living in French-speaking Geneva, Switzerland, for four years. Pam has lived in five different countries on three continents over her lifetime. She credits her time in KKG with her ability to seek leadership positions internationally. "The leadership and organizational skills learned from being in a sorority came in handy when I went into my adult life, especially in organizations overseas." Pam has been highly involved with international women's associations, dedicating much of her career to women's advocacy groups around the world. She is the co- founder of The Women's Foundation in Hong Kong. "Leadership training at Kappa was really great. It got me to recognize myself as a leader and helped me practice leadership skills in a nonthreatening environment," Pam said. Pam encourages undergraduates to take advantage of leadership opportunities in the chapter and to set high personal standards. "Setting a high bar for yourself when you're young will serve you well for the rest of your life," she said. Kappa's commitment to philanthropy has also resonated with Pam. "The chapter made a big commitment to volunteering in the community that I have carried with me through my entire life. The process of organizing a volunteer project and carrying it through was a really good experience. Everyone should take on a community responsibility as an adult, no matter what your circumstances are. It is enriching and really important." Pam and her husband, Richard, split time between their homes in Colorado and Hawaii. The couple has two daughters. Brittany is a chef in Hawaii and Linsey is an occupational therapist in Los Angeles. You can contact Pam by e-mail at pamelars@gmail.com. The five Kappa Pickers who toured with USO shows. The photo was taken at a Bicentennial party at Chris Mulkin Sealy's mom's cabin in Boulder Canyon in 1976. The group was four years out of school at the time. From left: Pam Rowe Smith '69, Linda Massey Binkley '68, Chris Mulkin Sealy '69, Nancy Stratton '68, Judi Wineland '69. N ancy Foehl Potak '60 has a family that is steeped in Epislon Beta tradition. She was the first to join the chapter, followed by both of her younger sisters, Virginia Foehl Klapp '62 and Marjorie Foehl Miller '67. Kappa values have become engrained in their family, including "respect for others shown through empathy, awareness, and sensitive response to the diversity of all we meet." Nancy was a member of the fifth Epsilon Beta pledge class. She said, "I loved being part of a new KKG chapter. We all took pride in knowing that we were building a solid foundation for generations to follow." Nancy received a B.A. in English with minors in French, history, and education. She retired in 2012 from a fulfilling career in education, including two years spent in Japan teaching ESL and 20 years teaching proprietary software programs to employees of pharmaceutical, financial services, and consumer products companies. She said, "Kappa gave me the confidence to pursue different career paths. I always felt that I could do anything I wanted to, if I really tried. In other words, no doors were closed and I think Kappa instilled that belief in me." Reflecting upon her college experience, Nancy offers the following advice to undergraduates: "Being an independent woman is a worthy goal. When I was in school, too much emphasis was put on getting married and having a family as the ultimate goal in life. There are many paths for women to follow, being single and having interesting career experiences is valuable too." Nancy stays connected to Kappa through alumnae groups. Because she and her husband moved frequently, she enjoyed the ability to make instant new friends wherever they were living. "Kappa gave me an identity and a sense of belonging and importance that I don't think I would have had otherwise." She encourages other alumnae to get involved or reach out to members of their pledge class. "The memories are worth it," she said. Nancy and her husband, Dave, have three children and live in Littleton, Colorado. She enjoys reading and is part of a KKG book club. The couple has five grandchildren, and is hopeful that some of their granddaughters might become Kappas someday. Contact Nancy at nancytrg@aol.com. Nancy Foehl Potak '60 Began Epsilon Beta Family Tradition First of ree Sisters to Join Chapter Reflects on Kappa Values Nancy, left, with her two sisters and fellow Epsilon Betas, Ginny and Margie.

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