Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

h h h Sigma star M aking hard decisions is inevitable in life, but thankfully some decisions come easier than others. for Kerry Kelly '74, deciding to pledge Sigma Kappa at KU was an easy decision despite the overwhelming process of recruitment. "The women of Sigma Kappa were real individuals; they weren't trying to be stereotypical sorority girls. Sometimes it's hard to make real connections during recruitment, but I felt like I did with the Sigma Kappas." The friendships Kerry made at Xi Chapter helped her through her college years. "I gained a sense of strength and self-confidence in who I was and what I could do that came from my sisters and the friendships I formed." Kerry felt the women in the house were very supportive of each other. "While we all had different interests, we all shared a belief in ourselves that we could do whatever we set out to do." This common bond allowed Kerry to create friendships with "bright, confident, funny, and insightful women who had a lot to offer. The support and friendships have really lasted throughout the years." Kerry hopes the same type of supportive women can be found in the Xi Chapter house today, because she knows how important it is to have supportive people in your life during college, which tends to be a naturally transformative and rocky period. She hopes the undergraduates can be true to themselves. "We all go through times where we question what we are doing and have doubts about why we are here and where we are going. Just keep pushing forward. Sometimes we think we are the only ones going through these periods, but we're not. College is a time for opening up and questioning yourself. If there is a time to make a change, it's college." Looking back on her time in the chapter house, Kerry has many special memories, including basketball games where they felt like the game's outcome depended on how loud they were, being tossed in the Chi O fountain, and lounging on the sun deck. She remembers Marylou Sayler Turner '56 for her strong will and always having the chapter's interest at heart, and Pat Scherrer Stelmach '42 who was just a class act. Kerry has happily stayed involved with Xi Chapter over the years, including donating to Honoring Our Past, Securing Our Future: The Campaign for Xi Chapter. "I gained a lot as a Xi member and if I can contribute to someone else having that experience then it is well worth it." She was back on campus for the anniversary celebration last spring and had a wonderful time. "It was really fun to see the house again. The structural changes are amazing and I am glad money has been put in the house. I am happy with the number of women who pledged and feel the growth of the chapter has been great." She and her pledge class sisters still communicate a couple times a year, and Kerry feels they pick up as if no time had passed. To those sisters who have lost touch with Xi Chapter, Kerry has this to say: "We can never go back to recapture our youth, but it is never too late to renew friendships. Reaching out to your sisters would be great. I don't mean you have to put tons of time in, perhaps just a letter. People perk up when you reach out. Those friendships that you make in college are different—you've grown intellectually and emotionally with them and it forms a lasting bond. We might change but the bonds are still there." Kerry has been a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Oklahoma for 23 years. She handles high-profile fraud cases—public corruption, bank fraud, investment scams, etc. She says she has good job security because there will always be crime, and she stays entertained by the amazing things people can come up with. She lives in Oklahoma City with her dog, Sugar, and enjoys reading, walking, and playing the lottery when it climbs over $200 million. Kerry wishes the best for Xi Chapter and feels it is a great home for women and has so much to offer. She can be reached by e-mail at kerrykok@cox.net. Alumna Thankful for Sigma Kappa Support H ello, sisters. I am excited to be your Xi Chapter president for the 2014 calendar year. I am from Leawood, Kansas, and attended Shawnee Mission East high School. I am a junior majoring in elementary education and love it. I am so honored to have been elected as chapter president and am looking forward to a wonderful year ahead! We are nearly through the semester and so many great things have happened here at Xi. In January we held two continuous open recruitment events and were lucky enough to extend bids to eight wonderful women who all accepted! We held the new member ceremony on february 3 and initiation on March 24. Additionally, all of our new officers attended the Collegiate Officers Academy and had a suc- cessful training day. We all learned so much and became even more excited for the upcoming year. Our first social function of the semester was with the men of Pi Kappa Phi called Pajama Jam, and we held the senior party at the end of March. Greek Awards was on March 26, and we were awarded Chapter of the Year! Mom's Day was in April, and was a great event as well. Besides all of the fun activities that we have going on this semester, I want to take a moment to recognize our members for going above and beyond academically. for the fall semester our chapter received a 3.21 G.P.A., which is amazing compared to our 3.11 the year before. I am proud of our women for doing so well, and we are working hard to do even better this spring. Thank you all for your continued support of the Xi Chapter. We would not be so successful without you. I look forward to staying in contact with you this year and hopefully put some faces to names. In Sigma Kappa, Maddie Gaughan '11 Chapter President (913) 832-2269 maddiegaughan@ku.edu Xi Chapter Excels in All Facets Kelly Freeman '11, Dani Kuhn '11, Lucy Waite '13, Becca Medwin '11, Pamela Carper '12, Maddie Gaughan '11, Claire Breslin '11, and Jessica Clifford '11 cheer on their sister, Jessica Lebel '11 (middle), as she competes in the Miss Lawrence pageant. Page 4

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